Former Pittsburgh Penguins player Adam Johnson was playing for the Nottingham Panthers, the Elite Ice Hockey League when another player’s skate slashed his neck during a collision during a Champions Cup game in Sheffield, England. The other individual involved was Matt Petgrave who plays for the Sheffield Steelers.

Petgrave’s left skate kicked up as he began to fall and the blade hit Johnson in the neck during the second period. After Johnson fell, it was clear what had happened and he received urgent medical treatment on the ice. Johnson was then transported to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital where he was pronounced dead and the investigation began.

Seventeen days after the incident, Matt Petgrave was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but has since been released on bail according to authorities. Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall had said to news outlets that the police have been communicating with specialized experts through the investigation as well, according to ESPN news.

This freak accident has shocked the world of hockey creating many NHL players and players around the world to start wearing neck guards and devices to help keep them safe during the intense games. Even with this incident, the NHL has no intentions to create a new mandate for anything specific about safety wear, but the English Ice Hockey Association announced shortly after the passing of the former player that starting in 2024 neck guards will be mandatory part of a new three-step plan.