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Man arrested on suspicion of Manslaughter in connection with Adam Johnson's death

Johnson died last month after his neck was cut during a game between the Nottingham Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the death of former NHL player Adam Johnson, according to a new report from BBC.

Johnson was cut by an errant skate blade during a match between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers when he collided with Sheffield defensemen Matt Petgrave. He was later taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"We have been carrying out extensive inquiries to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances," South Yorkshire Police said in a statement. "We have been speaking to highly specialized experts in their field to assist in our inquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation."

Floral tributes outside the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, ahead of a memorial for Nottingham Panthers' ice hockey player Adam Johnson. Picture date: Saturday November 4, 2023. (Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)
Floral tributes outside the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, ahead of a memorial for Nottingham Panthers' ice hockey player Adam Johnson. (Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)

The suspect, who the police did not name, remains in custody after being arrested Tuesday.

Kari Johnson, the victim’s aunt, said that even though she doesn’t believe there was an intent to kill her nephew, Petgrave's actions were reckless.

“We are looking for justice for Adam,” Kari Johnson said in the days following the tragedy.

In the aftermath of the incident, many of Johnson’s teammates also came to the defense of Petgrave who had been facing harsh criticism online.

The incident also sent shockwaves throughout the hockey community and was a catalyst for neck protection becoming more commonplace in the NHL and other professional and top amateur leagues. In the immediate aftermath, leagues such as the Western Hockey League and England's Elite Ice Hockey League mandated the use of neck guards.

Johnson, who was 29 at the time of his death, played five seasons of professional hockey in North America, totalling 13 NHL games and another 257 in the AHL. Before turning pro, Johnson played NCAA hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he amassed 55 points in 81 games.