American hockey gamer passes away after 'freak mishap' during game

NOTTINGHAM, England (AP)-- American hockey player Adam Johnson, who appeared in 13 NHL video games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, has passed away after a "freak mishap" throughout a game in England on Saturday, his club stated.

The 29-year-old Minnesota local was betting the Nottingham Panthers in a Challenge Cup video game against the Sheffield Steelers when he suffered a slashed neck during the 2nd period of the game at Sheffield's Utilita Arena.

" The Nottingham Panthers are truly ravaged to announce that Adam Johnson has unfortunately died following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night," the team stated Sunday morning.

" The Panthers wish to send our acknowledgements and thoughts to Adam's family, his partner, and all his good friends at this incredibly hard time. Everyone at the club including gamers, staff, management and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam's death."

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Johnson invested 13 video games over parts of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League before investing the 2020-21 season in Sweden with the Malmo Redhawks. He had an objective and 3 helps for the Penguins.

" The Pittsburgh Penguins sign up with the entire hockey world in grieving the life of Adam Johnson, whose life tragically ended far prematurely," the Penguins stated Sunday early morning in a declaration. "We use our deepest condolences to Adam's friends and family, in addition to all of Adam's past and present colleagues and coaches. Adam will always be part of the Penguins family."

Johnson played college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth, assisting the Bulldogs reach 2 NCAA tournaments. He scored an overtime game-winner in the 2017 tournament, sending out Minnesota-Duluth to the Frozen Four by beating Boston University.

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He likewise played for three American Hockey League clubs throughout his career, remained in Germany with the Augsburg Panthers in 2022-23, then agreed to join Nottingham for the 2023-24 project.

" Our thoughts are likewise with the fans and personnel of both clubs, especially those who attended or were following the game, who will be ravaged following today's news," the team included.

" The Panthers want to thank everyone who hurried to support Adam last night in the most testing of circumstances. Adam, our number 47, was not just an impressive ice hockey gamer, however also a great teammate and an incredible individual with his whole life ahead of him. The club will very much miss him and will never ever forget him."

The UK Elite League announced that the 3 video games scheduled for Sunday in Belfast, Fife and Guildford have been postponed following Johnson's death.