Adam Johnson (ice hockey) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adam Johnson |
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| Born | June 22, 1994 Grand Rapids, Minnesota, US |
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| Died | October 28, 2023 (aged 29) Sheffield, England, UK |
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| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 174 lb (79 kg; 12 st 6 lb) | ||
| Position | Center | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
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| NHL Draft | Undrafted | ||
| Playing career | 2017–2023 | ||
Adam Robert Johnson (born June 22, 1994 – died October 28, 2023) was an American professional ice hockey player. He was a forward who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also played for teams in Europe, including the Malmö Redhawks in Sweden, the Augsburger Panther in Germany, and the Nottingham Panthers in England. Adam's life was sadly cut short due to an accident during a game.
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Early Life and Hockey Start
Adam Johnson was born on June 22, 1994, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He loved hockey from a young age. After finishing high school, he played junior ice hockey in the United States Hockey League (USHL). He played for the Indiana Ice and Sioux City Musketeers. In 2015, he was even named a USHL All-Star!
Even though he wasn't picked in the NHL draft, Adam continued to play. He went on to play college hockey for two seasons. He joined the University of Minnesota Duluth's Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs team. In his second year, he scored 18 goals and helped his team reach the 2017 Frozen Four championship game.
Professional Hockey Career
In July 2017, Adam signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. This was a big step for his hockey career. He played for the Penguins' minor league team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He was a top scorer for them in the 2017–18 season.
Adam made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 21, 2019. He played a total of 13 games in the NHL. He even scored one goal in a game against the Minnesota Wild.
When the COVID-19 pandemic affected hockey in North America, Adam moved to Europe. He joined the Malmö Redhawks in Sweden in December 2020. He played well there, scoring 7 goals in 21 games. After that, he returned to North America. He played for the Ontario Reign and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL.
In 2022, Adam went back to Europe. He signed with the Augsburger Panther in Germany. He played one season there before joining the Nottingham Panthers in England in August 2023.
A Tragic Accident and Its Impact
On October 28, 2023, Adam Johnson was playing a game for the Nottingham Panthers. The game was against the Sheffield Steelers in Sheffield, England. During the game, there was an on-ice collision. Adam's throat was cut by another player's skate blade.
After the accident, Adam tried to skate to his team's bench. But he soon collapsed on the ice. Paramedics quickly came to help him. Other players formed a circle around him to protect him. The game was stopped, and fans were asked to leave the arena. Adam was taken to the hospital, but he sadly passed away. He was 29 years old.
News of Adam's death shocked the hockey world. Many leagues and teams shared their sadness. They held special ceremonies to honor him. Fans also raised money to support Adam's family. Many people gathered outside the Nottingham Panthers' home rink to leave flowers and tributes.
Adam's teammates and the Nottingham Panthers team said that the accident was unintentional. The police in South Yorkshire, England, started an investigation into his death. An autopsy confirmed that he died from the injury to his neck.
His Legacy: Making Hockey Safer
Adam Johnson's death made many people think about player safety in hockey. It led to new rules about wearing neck protection. The English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) decided that neck guards would be required starting in 2024. Other leagues, like those in the Canadian Hockey League, also made neck guards mandatory.
Even though the Elite Ice Hockey League (where Adam played) didn't immediately require neck guards, many players started wearing them. This included players in the NHL. USA Hockey also approved a new rule. Starting in August 2024, all players aged 18 and under must wear neck protection during games and practices. Adam's tragic death helped bring about important changes to make hockey safer for everyone.
Personal Life
At the time of his death, Adam Johnson was planning to propose to his girlfriend, Ryan Wolfe. He had even bought an engagement ring.
Awards and Honors
| Award | Year | Ref |
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| USHL | ||
| First All-Star Team | 2015 | |
The Nottingham Panthers retired Adam Johnson's number 47 jersey in his honor on November 18, 2023. This means no other player on the team will ever wear that number again. His high school, Hibbing High School, also retired his number 7 jersey on December 5, 2023.
See Also
- List of ice hockey players who died during their playing careers
