The Pittsburgh Penguins gave a touching tribute to Adam Johnson Monday evening prior to the puck drop against the Anaheim Ducks. As the teams formed a circle around the center logo and a video played on the Jumbotron, the crowd was asked to give a final cheer rather than sit for a moment of silence to commemorate Johnson’s life.
The Penguins and Ducks also sported helmet patches with Johnson’s initials.
Johnson died after being cut by a skate blade while playing in an Elite Ice Hockey League game with the Nottingham Panthers on Saturday. The 29-year-old appeared in 13 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons. Johnson spent the first three years of his professional career in the Penguins organization, collecting four points (one goal, three assists) in 13 NHL games over parts of two seasons with Pittsburgh.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins join the entire hockey world in mourning the loss of Adam Johnson, whose life ended far too soon,” the Penguins said in a statement on Sunday. “We offer our deepest condolences to Adam’s family and friends, as well as all of Adam’s past and present teammates and coaches. Adam will always be part of the Penguins family. It was an honor to watch him fulfill his dream of playing in the National Hockey League.”
“The National Hockey League family mourns the passing of former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson,” said the NHL in a statement Sunday morning. “Our prayers and deepest condolences go to his family, friends and teammates.”
In 257 career AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Ontario Reign and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Johnson racked up 50 goals and 137 points. He added a goal and an assist in four playoff contests with WBS and Ontario.
As a result of the horrific accident, the ripple effects on future safety legislation are already beginning to take shape. On Monday, the English Ice Hockey Association, the sport’s governing body for England and Wales, announced it will be mandatory for its players to wear neck guards during “all on-ice activities” beginning in 2024.
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