Police issue update on man arrested in connection with ice hockey player who died after being slashed in throat during game

Police have shared an update on the man arrested in connection with the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson.

In October 2023, Johnson had been playing an ice hockey game with his team the Nottingham Panthers against Sheffield Steelers at the Utilita Arena when he was involved in a collision with Steelers player.

During the collision, Johnson was struck by the skate from the other player's boot which caused a fatal cut to his neck.

Johnson was taken for emergency treatment but later died in hospital, a post-mortem would later confirm that his death was caused by a neck injury.

Adam Johnson was killled after being struck in the neck by an opponent's skate during a game (Joe Sargent/NHLIGetty Images)

Following Johnson's death, a man who police have not named, was arrested in November and bailed until July this year. He has now been re-bailed again until 11 November, 2024 as the investigation continues.

The statement added: "Our investigation is ongoing, and our thoughts remain with Adam's family.

"If there are any developments in the investigation ahead of the new bail expiry date, these will be issued proactively on the South Yorkshire Police website."

Sheffield's senior coroner Tanyka Rawden has since issued a report on the Prevention of Future Deaths Report to Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), urging the implementation of neck guards in the sport.

The ice hockey world has since shared tributes to Johnson (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Urging the relevant ice hockey bodies to make neck guards mandatory in the sport, she wrote: "In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you."

Neck guards are currently mandatory for all events run by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), this includes the Winter Olympics. This rule has now been implemented by the English Ice Hockey Association, who made the use of neck guards mandatory at the start of 2024.

However, the Elite Ice Hockey League, where both the Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers compete, has chosen not to make the rule mandatory but instead said it would 'strongly encourage' players to wear them in wake of Johnson's death.

A man has since been arrested and bailed in connection with his death (Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Born in the US, Johnson had previously played in Sweden and Germany before joining the Panthers for their 2023-24 season.

In the weeks following Johnson's death, tributes poured in across the ice hockey world, while a commemorative plaque has been installed at the Nottingham Motorpoint Arena, where the Panthers play their home games, in memory of Johnson. The plaque reads 'Forever our 47', which is the number Johnson wore while at the club.