Ice Hockey Adam Johnson parents, Davey and Susan Johnson, raised the hockey player in Hibbing, Minnesota. The late hockey player also has an older brother named Ryan Johnson.
The talented hockey player tragically passed away in a freak accident in Sheffield. The Nottingham Panthers player Adam’s throat was slashed by Sheffield Steelers’ Matt Petgrave’s boot blade.
The incident left the attendees at the Utilita Arena in tears, and the game was stopped in the 34th minute. The fans were asked to leave the stadium as the club called a “major medical emergency.”
The Panthers’ social media handle confirmed Adam’s passing on Sunday. Kari Johnson, believed by a few sites to be his aunt, also shared a tribute post for the late hockey player, who was only 29.
Ice Hockey Adam Johnson Parents: Kari Johnson Heartbreaking Tribute To Her Nephew
Adam Johnson’s parents, Davey and Susan, are going through what no parent would want to happen to them. On October 29, his aunt Kari Johnson shared photos of her and Adam and captioned the post, “I lost half of my heart today. Love you always, Munch.”
Many sites have stated Kari is the late player’s mom, but few sites, such as the Daily Star, have reported that Kari is actually Adam’s aunt. Nonetheless, it is a tragic time for the Johnson family to lose someone so young.
His father, Davey Johnson, is a former collegiate hockey player. Davey played hockey at the University of Minnesota and captained the Bulldogs as a senior center in 1980-81. His uncle, Gary DeGrio, is also a former hockey player, having played for UMD from 1978-82.
The Nottingham Panthers’ hockey player also has a brother named Ryan Johnson, who isn’t available on social media. But his wife, Ebony Johnson, shared a tribute to her brother-in-law.
Ebony shared a picture of her and Adam from her wedding day. Her close family and friends gave their condolences in the comment section, telling her and the Johnson family to remain strong during this tragic time.
Adam Johnson Career At A Glance
Born in Hibbing, Minnesota, Adam Johnson was the younger son of Davey and Susan Johnson. Growing up in a hockey family, there wasn’t any doubt that Adam would follow in the footsteps of his dad and uncle.
Johnson played for Hibbing/Chisholm High and graduated high school in 2012. After graduating high school, Johnson joined USHL and played for Indiana Ice for six games.
He then joined Sioux City Musketeers and played 56 games, earning 46 points. A year later, he played 59 games for the A-team and earned 71 points.
A versatile player, Adam could play both in the center role as a left winger. After going undrafted, the youngster enrolled at the University of Minnesota Duluth. In his two seasons with UMD, Adam played 81 games, earning 55 points.
After two successful years at UMD, Adam decided to join the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was signed to the AHL affiliate team Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
In his first season with Wilkes-Barre, Adam played 70 games, scoring 11 goals and assisting 20. In his second season, Johnson was called up by the Penguins to play in the NHL.
He played six games for the Penguins, during which he earned two points through his two assists. He played for the Wilkes-Barre for the rest of the season, helping the side earn 34 points.
In his third and final season with the Penguins, Adam played seven games in the NHL, scoring one goal and earning one assist. He played 48 games for Wilkes, contributing 34 points.
In 2020, Adam joined the Swedish league side Malmo Redhawks. He played 21 games for them, scoring five goals and making five assists. He returned to the US later that year and joined the AHL side Ontario Reign.
In 2021, Adam joined Leigh Valley Phantoms, and a year later, joined the German side, Augsburger Panther. Johnson had joined the Nottingham Panthers earlier this year.
Nottingham Panthers Statement On Adam’s Demise
Nottingham Panthers were the first one to announce Adam’s demise.
The statement read, “The Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident at the game in Sheffield last night.”
The club gave its condolences to Adam’s family, his partner, and his friends and shared what an outstanding player Adam had been throughout his career.
The accident took place during The Challenge Cup game against the Sheffield Steelers. The game was stopped in the 34th minute after the on-ice collision. The Panthers’ next game against Glasgow Clan on October 31 has been postponed.
Pittsburgh Penguins also released a statement on Sunday morning to mourn the loss of their former player.
The NHL also published a statement that read, “The National Hockey League family mourns the passing of former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson. Our prayers and deepest condolences go to his family, friends, and teammates.”