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No criminal charges in Nottingham Panthers ice hockey manslaughter case

No criminal charges will be brought against an ice hockey player arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the death of Adam Johnson with the crown prosecution service deciding there was no realistic chance of a conviction.

The Nottingham Panthers player died of a neck injury from a skate after a collision with Sheffield Steelers’ Matt Petgrave in a match in October 2023. The Panthers described the incident at the time as a “freak accident”. CPR was administered on the ice at the Sheffield Arena, but Johnson died from his injuries.

Petgrave was put on police bail, but after an 18-month investigation the CPS said it had now closed the case. “This was a shocking and deeply upsetting incident,” said Michael Quinn, the deputy chief crown prosecutor. “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 offence and so there will not be a prosecution,” he added.

“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.”

Johnson had previously played in the National Hockey League, where he made 13 appearances for the Pittsburgh Penguins, before moving to Canada and Germany and then switching to the UK to join the Panthers.

Although Petgrave has never been named by South Yorkshire Police, he went public about his arrest in December 2024, in a fundraising appeal on the website CrowdJustice.com, where he has raised more than £18,000. “I am seeking help to cover some of my legal costs whilst I am subject to police bail, as well as additional costs if the matter proceeds to criminal court,” wrote Petgrave. “Any remaining funds will be donated to initiatives that promote safety in hockey.”

Ice hockey’s global governing body, the IIHF, has since made neck guards mandatory for all its affiliated leagues from the 2024-25 season. However, they still are not compulsory in the NHL.

After Johnson’s death the Panthers also retired his No 47 jersey – the seventh time they have retired a shirt in the club’s history.

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