Former Penguin Adam Johnson critically injured during game (and has passed away)

[FLPensFan]

I initially posted something about in the Random Penguins Fodder thread, but reposting it in its own thread while waiting for more updates.

Around 3:30pm EDT, former Penguins forward Adam Johnson was injured by a skate while playing for the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL (league in England). According to reports, Johnson was given CPR on the ice, the team put up screens on the ice to shield the view, the players went to the locker room, and the building was evacuated of fans.

Johnson played 13 NHL games for the Penguins over the 18-19 and 19-20 seasons, scoring 1 goal and 3 assists.

There are some reports on Twitter that Johnson has passed away from his injuries. There has been nothing from any official sources. Most are going off of an "NHL News site" that is fan run and not affiliated with the NHL, and a Facebook post from a reported friend of Johnson's that had message to the effect of see you again someday.

If any of the reports of his passing come from trusted sources, I'll update the thread. While I understand HIIPA laws and such, almost 7 hours passing since the incident with no reports from the team probably is not a good sign.

I happened to see the video of the incident earlier this evening when looking for updates, and while all of these types of injuries are freak accidents, this one was very, very strange to me. Johnson is carrying the puck just across the blue line entering the offensive zone, when an opposing defenseman comes across for a hit on Johnson. However, there is another player on Johnson's team that is somewhat in the checking opponents path. I could not see any collision with the other player, and yet the checking opponent "appears" like he somehow loses his balance, because his "check" on Johnson essentially ended up as a straight kick to his throat. I watched this multiple times and at full speed, it simply looks like the checker lifted his skate off the ice and checked Johnson in the neck, skate first. After the hit, Johnson got up and started skating quickly to the bench, but he stopped skating slightly past the center ice faceoff circle, with teammates on either side of him. Video stopped there, and it is unknown if he was told to stop skating and stay where he was, or if he began to become woozy.

I have also heard from a fan who was at the game, who says locally, there has still been nothing official reported. They've heard he was DOA, as well as also that he was conscious and breathing on the way to the hospital, and in surgery.

[Pruezy11881]

Apparently lots of things going around his hometown and family and classmates confirming he didn't make it.

[KG]

That was a violent kick. The force the skate hits him with...tough to watch and hard to imagine he could survive.

[padreegan2831]

Playing the game he loves, another incident that puts life into perspective

[FLPensFan]

Apparently lots of things going around his hometown and family and classmates confirming he didn't make it.

Yeah, I did a bit of digging from the main FB post that was being passed around, and another that I saw screen shot. At the very least, lots of people in his hometown have changed their profile pic to his #47, but there are no real public comments, except one or two. Still very sketchy at the moment. If it is true, 3am UK time or not, you would think the team would release a statement if the family has already been notified.

This is the down side of the Internet age. It's respectful to his family to wait if it is indeed true, but at the same time, news (real or fake) travels fast these days. Best to balance respect/privacy with official information whenever possible.

Here's hoping the reports are false.

[offsides]

Here's hoping the reports are false.

I'll triple that and hope for the best.

[E-Ramone]

This is terrifying to to think about, and I certainly hope that he’s alright.

[Daniel]

This is terrifying to to think about, and I certainly hope that he’s alright.

I don’t think he is and I’m glad no one posted the video of the incident. It was one of the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen in sports.

[E-Ramone]

This is terrifying to to think about, and I certainly hope that he’s alright.

I don’t think he is and I’m glad no one posted the video of the incident. It was one of the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen in sports.

Yeah from what I’ve read elsewhere, I’m not feeling good about this.

[Three Stars]

[Three Stars]

Do not post any pictures or videos of this incident anywhere on this board.

[Pens4Life]

RIP Adam..

what a freakish accident/collison,damn it..

[ejd43]

So sad. Many prayers sent to his family, and friends.

[Zalapski33]

Just a terrible tragedy.RIP Adam,prayers to his family and friends.

[penny lane]

Prayers of strength and peace to his family & friends.

[Puck-Lurker]

Sad news. That's life, over far too soon. I hope he didn't suffer much.

[Steve]

[url][

Adam Johnson's goal, in his home state of Minnesota. RIP

[DelPen]

RIP Adam..

what a freakish accident/collison,damn it..

I’ve seen a lot of posts from people who claim to have been there saying that he was intentionally kicked at by opposing player. I’m not going to go find video to see for myself but if that’s true that’s not really a freakish accident at that point.

[Three Stars]

Let's be careful about our implications/accusations/insinuations, please.

[FLPensFan]

RIP Adam..

what a freakish accident/collison,damn it..

I’ve seen a lot of posts from people who claim to have been there saying that he was intentionally kicked at by opposing player. I’m not going to go find video to see for myself but if that’s true that’s not really a freakish accident at that point.

I posted in the original thread starter that I happened to see the video, and it is a strange play.

Johnson was carrying the puck into the zone or looping back to get the puck and keep it in the zone. He had a teammate maybe 3 feet away, and a defending player came across to throw a body check on Johnson. On the video, right as the defending player throwing the check gets next to the teammate, his leg/skate goes flying in the air and he connects with Johnson's neck. I watched the contact (not the aftermath) a dozen times, and was puzzled by how his leg suddenly came up like that. He didn't jump off his skates and kick him, it was more like he lost his balance, like if a player were to step on a stick or skate across a coin on the ice...only, there really weren't any other motions by the checking player that indicated loss of balance.

Very strange play, and I don't think anyone is going to make a substantial argument off a singular view of the play. I highly doubt the player did it intentionally, but I also cannot explain how he ended up hitting Johnson in the neck the way he did.

[Puck-Lurker]

I make no insinuations nor do I accuse anyone of anything. A young player died and that's a tragedy. I'll leave it there.

[Three Stars]

Folks, we’re not doing murder accusations, insinuations about someone’s character/intent, or anything else that could be considered libel here.

[Three Stars]

https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/2023 ... nthers-tlh

From this I learned that Crosby has a tailor. How many players are out there wearing Sid Suits?

[DelPen]

WBS and Wheeling will be required by the organization to start wearing neck and wrist guards, Sullivan encouraging his players to take every precaution they can.

[Durbano]

For anyone who missed it, one of Johnson's teammates, Westin Michaud, tweeted the following:

"I need to address something about the accident. We wholeheartedly stand with Matt Petgrave. The hate that Matt is receiving is terrible and completely uncalled for. I was at ice level on the bench closest to the accident, I saw both players moving fast. The unintentional clip of the Panther player's leg by the Sheffield player caused the somersault. It's clear to me his actions were unintentional and anyone suggesting otherwise is mistaken. Let's come together and not spread unwarranted hate to someone who needs our support."

I'm glad he spoke out and clarified (for genuinely confused people like me) what happened. I watched the video before finding out Adam passed away (and in fact at that point had foolishly taken the multi-hour delay between any reports to mean he was going to survive). I've seen plenty of on-ice wipe-outs but nothing like that one. And I still don't fully understand the physics, but if Adam's teammate, who was nearby, says it's an accident, who's to say otherwise?