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No Criminal Charges in Adam Johnson’s On-Ice Death

The CPS concludes there is no realistic prospect of conviction in the manslaughter investigation into the 2023 incident, closing the case after 17 months.

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Adam Johnson died after sustaining a cut to the neck in a collision with another player during the second period of the Nottingham Panthers’ game against the Sheffield Steelers in England on October 28, 2023.
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Johnson's death led to an outpouring of tributes.

Overview

  • Adam Johnson, a former NHL player, died in October 2023 after a skate blade fatally cut his neck during a game between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers.
  • Sheffield Steelers player Matt Petgrave was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in November 2023 but was re-bailed multiple times during the investigation.
  • The Crown Prosecution Service announced on April 29, 2025, that no charges would be brought, citing insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.
  • The incident prompted safety reforms, including mandatory neck guards in the Elite Ice Hockey League starting January 2024, following a coroner's recommendation.
  • The case has sparked ongoing discussions about player safety and protective equipment standards across professional hockey leagues worldwide.