His ex’s teammate Pittsburgh Penguins Center Adam Johnson, who tragically died last weekend after his throat was slashed by a skate during a game, has spoken out, calling it “the most traumatic thing” he has ever seen.
Victor Bjorkung, Swede ice hockey player and Nottingham Panthers defender, spoke to the media in Sweden about the tragic death of 29-year-old Johnson.
Adam Johnson #47 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Nashville Predators at PPG Paints Arena on March 29, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
Johnson, a native of Minnesota, died Saturday after suffering a fatal neck injury after being clipped by an opposing player’s skate during a game in Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
POLICE EXAMINE VEHICLE, TALKS TO WITNESSES AS INVESTIGATION INTO DEATH OF FORMER NHL PLAYER CONTINUES
“You’re so shocked right now, everything happens so fast. One moment, you have your boyfriend there, the next second, he’s gone,” Bjorkung told Expressen, via a translation of The Nottingham Post.
While explaining that he has “gaps” in his memory of the incident, he told the newspaper that Johnson’s death was “the most traumatic thing I’ve seen in my entire life.”
South Yorkshire Police said in a press release earlier this week that investigators are reviewing footage and speaking to witnesses who were present at the match between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers.
Adam Johnson is remembered before the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Anaheim Ducks at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 30, 2023, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
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Police added that they expect the investigation “to take some time.”
Bjorkung told the outlet that he has since contacted Matt Petgrave, the player whose skate cut Johnson, amid the criticism he has faced online.
“Nobody in our team thinks it’s their fault, quite the opposite. We stand behind them.”
Adam Johnson #47 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG Paints Arena on March 31, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
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An inquest into Johnson’s death was opened and adjourned until late January after a brief hearing was held Friday, according to The Athletic.
The medical examiner revealed that Johnson was taken to an area hospital after what the team called a “horrific accident” and was later pronounced dead. His fiancee, Ryan Wolfe, recognized him.