Former Iowa Minor League Hockey Player Dies In ‘Freak Accident’
In what hockey officials are calling a 'freak accident' a former NHL and Iowa minor league hockey player has died overseas while on the ice.
SiouxLandProud.com reports that the accident happened during a game in England on Saturday, as 29-year-old Adam Johnson was skating for his Elite Ice Hockey Club Team, the Nottingham Panthers. They were playing in a Challenge Cup game when a freak collision occurred on the ice and Johnson was cut in the neck by a blade. Nearly 8,000 fans in attendance for the Halloween-themed game, were asked to leave immediately.
SiouxLandProud reports that Johnson suffered a 'major medical emergency' and passed away from the injury. Before his collegiate and pro career, Johnson played for the Sioux City Musketeers from 2013 to 2015. SiouxLandProud reports that he was an alternate captain in his final season in Sioux City and led the team with 71 points. He scored a total of 117 points in his two seasons with the team.
Johnson then went on to play his college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth where he helped the Bulldogs reach two NCAA tournaments. He scored an overtime game-winner in 2017 to help his team reach the NCAA Frozen Four, according to SiouxLandProud. Johnson suited up for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL for 13 games between 2018 and 2020. He had a goal and three assists.
SiouxLandProud reports that Sioux City Musketeers CEO Travis Morgan issued a statement saying, "From billets to fans to coaches, everyone liked Adam. Our organization is better because Adam Johnson was in it. We will be taking steps to honor him the rest of the season."
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