A member of Adam Johnson’s family has spoken out following an arrest in connection to the former NHLer’s death on Oct. 29.
Johnson, who was playing for the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL in the United Kingdom, died after the skate blade of Sheffield Steelers’ defenseman Matt Petgrave cut Johnson’s neck during an on-ice play.
Johnson’s aunt, Kari, made the family’s first public comments since news of the arrest was announced earlier in the day.
Police did not reveal who was arrested on Tuesday but said the person was charged with suspicion of manslaughter.
“We’re just going to have to let it play out and see what happens,” Kari Johnson told The Mirror.
“Whatever they’d decided, I would have had to live with it. But I’m just glad they are being diligent with doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
Johnson’s family had just laid the former member of the Penguins organization to rest last week in his native Minnesota.
South Yorkshire Police announced on Oct. 31 that it was investigating the circumstances surrounding Johnson’s death, which the Panthers called a “freak accident.”
The 29-year-old Johnson was rushed to Northern General Hospital in Sheffield two days prior and was pronounced dead there, according to the Sheffield coroner’s report.
“Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive inquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,” South Yorkshire Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall 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.”
Horsfall’s statement ended with a call for the public to “refrain from comment and speculation” over the incident.
Johnson’s death has galvanized a new awareness of player safety as hockey leagues across the globe have begun mandating neck guards for players.
The English Ice Hockey Association is mandating all players wear neck guards for on-ice activities starting on Dec. 31.