No charges for hockey player who killed opponent with skate blade in gruesome 2023 on-ice incident

British prosecutors will not file criminal charges against the hockey plater involved in the fatal accident that saw American athlete Adam Johnson dead.

Johnson, 29, played for the Nottingham Panthers and was killed after a collision during a game against the Sheffield Steelers in late 2023. The other player, Matt Petgrave, struck Johnson in a way that saw Johnson’s neck cut by his skate.

Petgrave, of Canada, was arrested two weeks after the incident, according to the BBC. Police never publicly confirmed his name though Petgrave identified himself as the subject of investigation through a legal defense fundraiser. He has rebuilt multiple times while the case was under review.

It was announced on Tuesday that no charges would be filed.

“The [Crown Prosecution Service] and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved,” said Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Michael Quinn. “Following a thorough police investigation and a comprehensive review of all the evidence by the CPS, we have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offense and so there will not be a prosecution. Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.”

During the game where the fatal accident happened, Johnson entered Sheffiield’s defensive zone with the puck. Petgrave collided with another player from Nottingham and as he began to fall, his left skate lifted and struck Johnson’s neck. He was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Johnson had previously played in Germany and appeared in a few NHL games for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had just started his first season in the UK and was living with his fiancée, Ryan Wolfe, while studying at Loughborough Business School.

Some of Johnson’s teammates expressed support for Petgrave. Teammate Victor Björkung, who passed the puck to Johnson moments before the collision, told a Swedish outlet that there “isn’t a chance that it’s deliberate.” He later left the team, saying the incident left him deeply affected.

The league now requires players to use a neck guard.