The fiancée of an ice hockey player that was tragically killed during a match has paid a touching tribute to him on social media.
29-year-old Adam Johnson was the victim of a ‘freak injury’ during a game between Elite Ice Hockey League teams Nottingham Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers on Saturday night.
Adam was cut by an opponent’s skate, but managed to get towards the barriers before he collapsed and was surrounded by his teammates.
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During the early hours of that night, the player sadly died in hospital.
His devastated partner Ryan Wolfe has now posted a tribute to Johnson on Instagram, sharing a picture of the ice hockey star, writing: "My sweet, sweet angel.
“I'll miss you forever and love you always."
Since Johnson’s death, tributes and flowers have been left outside the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, including shirts bearing Johnson’s number 47.
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The team’s assistant coach Kevin Moore said that the team was ‘really grateful for all the love and support’ they had received.
He added: “As time goes on we are going to heal, we are going to do that together.
“We are going to be strong and will continue that way and we will do you guys proud.
“We appreciate you coming here today and we thank you for all your support.”
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Around 8,000 people were at the Challenge Cup game at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena on Saturday, and support has been offered to anyone who witnessed the incident.
In a statement afterwards, the Panthers said that the team is ‘truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night’.
The statement continued: “Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player but also a great teammate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him. “The Club will dearly miss him and will never ever forget him.”
His former team, the German Ausburger Panther side, also wrote: “Our thoughts are with Adam Johnson’s girlfriend, his family and teammates, and all the hockey fans and officials who had to watch the horrific accident inside the hall.
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“We wish them strength in coping with the shock and immeasurable grief of a young life.”
So far, a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the Minnesotan player's family has raised nearly £13,500 from 300 donations.
All remaining fixtures that weekend were postponed as a mark of respect.
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A full joint statement from all of the teams in the league reads: “The Elite Ice Hockey League is heartbroken to confirm that Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson sadly passed away following a freak accident in Saturday’s game between Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers.
“In light of this deeply upsetting news, the Elite League has postponed all games scheduled to take place on Sunday 29 October 2023.
“The thoughts and condolences of everyone connected with the EIHL are with Adam’s family, friends and team mates at this incredibly sad and difficult time. We would also ask everyone to respect the privacy of Adam’s family at this time.
“Many of us will have found Saturday’s events very distressing. Please take care of yourselves and each other. Further help and advice is available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/london/our-work/mental-health-support/help-and-support.”
Featured Image Credit: Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images/Instagram/Ryan Wolfe