Ice hockey player Matt Petgrave will NOT face charges after death of other hockey player during game | Law Enforcement Today

LONDON - On Tuesday, April 29th, British prosecutors said that the man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson will not face any charges.

According to NBC News, Johnson played for the Nottingham Panthers and died shortly after his neck had been sliced in a collision with Sheffield Steelers defenseman Matt Petgrave during a game on October 28, 2023. Two weeks after the incident, a man was arrested and though South Yorkshire police did not publicly identify him, Petgrave said in a crowdfunding appeal for legal fees that he's been the subject of a police investigation.

On Tuesday, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided it would not bring criminal charges against Petgrave following what it described as "a shocking and deeply upsetting incident." Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Michael Quinn said in a statement, "The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved.

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."

After his arrest, Petgrave had been re-bailed several times while the investigation took place. He had support from some of Johnson's teammates. Victor Björkung had told a Swedish newspaper that there "isn't a chance that it's deliberate." Björkung had played the pass to Johnson and said he was traumatized by what he saw. He left the team as a result.

During the game, Johnson had skated with the puck into Sheffield's defensive zone when Petgrave collided with another Panthers player nearby. Petgrave's left skate elevated as he began to fall and the blade hit Johnson in the neck. Johnson was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. His death sparked a debate across the sport about improving safety for the players.

Johnson was in his first season at Nottingham. He was one of the "import" players in the Elite Ice Hockey League and came to Nottingham after stints in Germany and a handful of games for the Penguins in the 2018-19 and 2019-2020 seasons. Johnson was living with his fianceé Ryan Wolfe and studying at Loughborough Business School at the time of this death. 

According to WFIN, at the time of his death, the Penguins honored him by saying, "The Pittsburgh Penguins join the entire hockey world in mourning the life of Adam Johnson, whose life tragically ended far too soon. 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."

The English Ice Hockey Association, which governs the sport below the Elite League began requiring players to wear neck guards beginning at the start of the 2024 season.