NOTTINGHAM, UK - A 29-year-old American hockey player Adam Johnson was struck by an opposing player in a British hockey league game on October 28. While hockey is a collision sport with violent hits, what Johnson endured went farther than the game usually sees.
As he skated, one of his teammates got tangled up with a member of the opposing team, Matt Petgrave. Petgrave kicked his leg up in the air towards Johnson's upper body. The kick caused his skate to slash Johnson's throat.
Johnson immediately went down, clutching his throat. He was rushed to a nearby hopsital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Nottingham Panthers issued a statement calling the collision and Johnson's death a "tragic accident." Likewise, media outlets have referred to the kick as a "freak accident."
Police have gotten involved and are investigating the death.
Members of Johnson's family are asking questions and speaking up about what they saw in the video. His aunt, Kari Johnson, said that Petgrave's actions were reckless and went beyond the norms of hockey.
"It was very reckless," she said. "I just want them [police] to get it right. We are looking for justice for Adam. You don't take your leg and kick somebody and cut their throat. I'm sorry. We were watching the game in real time and we did witness what happened. Horrific is the word to describe."
The video of the collision appears to show Petgrave lifting and swinging his leg in a manner consistent to someone kicking their leg intentionally.
"My nephew was 6-feet tall, and whether you lost your balance or not, to have that leg come up that high and do a kicking motion like he did, that is just unacceptable. I think the actions were unnecessary. It was just unnecessary," Johnson continued. "Nobody touched him. I've watched that video hundreds of times." "I'm sure Mr. Petgrave probably didn't even think about the consequences could be of that happening, but there comes a time when you have to realize, that's not hockey."
According to the BBC, South Yorkshire Police have been studying the footage and have indicated that the investigation could take some time.
"Due to the complex nature of this tragic and unprecedented incident, it is likely the wider investigation will take some time," they said in a statement.
Many players are rushing to Petgrave's defense, saying that it was a horrible accident and that it could in no way be intentional.
According to Newsweek, former NHL player Sean Avery said, "I've watched it, it's terrible, it's tough to watch. Did this kid make a move that was very unorthodox? Do I think he was trying to make contact of some sort? Absolutely. Do I think he woke up and said I'm going to murder somebody today? No."
Another former player, Chris Therien, said, "I was literally appalled and sickened by what I saw. It looked intentional. It was a kung fu kick. My eyes are not lying, tell me I'm wrong."
To make matters worse for Petgrave as part of this process, a video has surface from a game he played in previously. In that video, he appears to whip his leg around in an elevated fashion, causing an appointment to do a summersault, and slamming into the ice on his neck and upper back.
Further, Petgrave had been kicked out of two of the last four games he played and has received the most penalty minutes in his entire league.
Johnson's aunt finished her thoughts by saying that they struggle to beleive that this was an accident.
"He took our boy. There are a few of us in the family that think it was a totally unnecessary, very, very bad action to take."
The NHL has now required the mandatory use of neck guards during games.
As he skated, one of his teammates got tangled up with a member of the opposing team, Matt Petgrave. Petgrave kicked his leg up in the air towards Johnson's upper body. The kick caused his skate to slash Johnson's throat.
Johnson immediately went down, clutching his throat. He was rushed to a nearby hopsital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Nottingham Panthers issued a statement calling the collision and Johnson's death a "tragic accident." Likewise, media outlets have referred to the kick as a "freak accident."
Police have gotten involved and are investigating the death.
Members of Johnson's family are asking questions and speaking up about what they saw in the video. His aunt, Kari Johnson, said that Petgrave's actions were reckless and went beyond the norms of hockey.
"It was very reckless," she said. "I just want them [police] to get it right. We are looking for justice for Adam. You don't take your leg and kick somebody and cut their throat. I'm sorry. We were watching the game in real time and we did witness what happened. Horrific is the word to describe."
The video of the collision appears to show Petgrave lifting and swinging his leg in a manner consistent to someone kicking their leg intentionally.
"My nephew was 6-feet tall, and whether you lost your balance or not, to have that leg come up that high and do a kicking motion like he did, that is just unacceptable. I think the actions were unnecessary. It was just unnecessary," Johnson continued. "Nobody touched him. I've watched that video hundreds of times." "I'm sure Mr. Petgrave probably didn't even think about the consequences could be of that happening, but there comes a time when you have to realize, that's not hockey."
According to the BBC, South Yorkshire Police have been studying the footage and have indicated that the investigation could take some time.
"Due to the complex nature of this tragic and unprecedented incident, it is likely the wider investigation will take some time," they said in a statement.
Many players are rushing to Petgrave's defense, saying that it was a horrible accident and that it could in no way be intentional.
According to Newsweek, former NHL player Sean Avery said, "I've watched it, it's terrible, it's tough to watch. Did this kid make a move that was very unorthodox? Do I think he was trying to make contact of some sort? Absolutely. Do I think he woke up and said I'm going to murder somebody today? No."
Another former player, Chris Therien, said, "I was literally appalled and sickened by what I saw. It looked intentional. It was a kung fu kick. My eyes are not lying, tell me I'm wrong."
To make matters worse for Petgrave as part of this process, a video has surface from a game he played in previously. In that video, he appears to whip his leg around in an elevated fashion, causing an appointment to do a summersault, and slamming into the ice on his neck and upper back.
Further, Petgrave had been kicked out of two of the last four games he played and has received the most penalty minutes in his entire league.
Johnson's aunt finished her thoughts by saying that they struggle to beleive that this was an accident.
"He took our boy. There are a few of us in the family that think it was a totally unnecessary, very, very bad action to take."
The NHL has now required the mandatory use of neck guards during games.
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The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2023-11-10T08:32-0600 | Comment by: Carol
This was not an accident. It was clearly deliberate. Never in the history of hockey has anything like this strategy ever occurred. Obviously, now with the kind of people that are entering the sport.