The investigation into the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson continues as a suspect is re-bailed for the seventh time, prompting discussions on player safety reforms.
A man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson has been re-bailed for a seventh time. The 29-year-old American athlete tragically lost his life following an incident during a match between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers. Johnson was struck in the neck by the skate of an opposing player, an event that was witnessed by thousands of spectators at the arena in Sheffield.
Following his injury, Johnson was taken to hospital, where he subsequently died. A post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as a neck injury. The initial arrest occurred in November 2023, with the individual being bailed by South Yorkshire Police. As of Friday, police announced that the suspect has been rebailed again, with conditions extending until May 29.
In a statement, South Yorkshire Police noted that “the investigation remains ongoing as officers work to understand the circumstances surrounding Adam’s tragic death.” They expressed condolences, stating, “Our thoughts remain with Adam’s family and friends.”
The impact of Johnson’s death resonated throughout the ice hockey community, prompting major discussions about player safety. In January 2023, Sheffield’s senior coroner, Tanyka Rawden, suspended her investigation into Johnson’s death, awaiting the conclusions of the police inquiry. Later, it became known that she had submitted a Prevention of Future Deaths Report to Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA). In this report, Rawden expressed significant concern that future fatalities could occur if neck guards or protectors are not utilised in the sport. The governing bodies were given a 56-day period to respond regarding the actions taken in response to her concerns.
In response to these safety considerations, neck guards have been made mandatory in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), which includes teams like the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers, effective from January 1, 2024. This decision followed an earlier ruling by the International Ice Hockey Federation in December stating that neck laceration protectors should be mandatory for all its competitions.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38770208/ex-nhl-player-adam-johnson-29-dies-freak-accident – This article corroborates the details of Adam Johnson’s death during a hockey game, including the incident where his throat was cut by a skate blade.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Johnson_(ice_hockey) – This Wikipedia entry provides information about Adam Johnson’s career and the circumstances of his death, including the on-ice collision that led to his fatal injury.
- https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/manslaughter-investigation-1-year-after-adam-johnson-hockey-death/ – This article updates on the ongoing manslaughter investigation related to Adam Johnson’s death and the re-bailing of the suspect.
- https://www.justice.gov/opcl/overview-privacy-act-1974-2020-edition/disclosures-third-parties – Although not directly related to Adam Johnson’s case, this link provides general information about legal investigations and the handling of sensitive information, which can be relevant in understanding the context of manslaughter investigations.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/hockey/67811151 – Unfortunately, this specific URL is not available in the search results. However, BBC Sport often covers hockey news and could provide updates on safety measures following Johnson’s death.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes recent events, such as the re-bailing of a suspect and ongoing investigations, which suggests it is relatively fresh. However, it references past events like the initial arrest in November 2023 and changes in safety regulations effective from January 2024.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
There are no direct quotes from individuals in the narrative, only a statement from South Yorkshire Police. Without specific quotes, it’s challenging to verify their original source.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable news outlet, The Irish News, which generally provides reliable information. However, the specific details about the investigation and quotes could benefit from additional verification.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the incident and subsequent legal actions are plausible and consistent with typical procedures in such cases. The narrative also aligns with known changes in safety regulations following the incident.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh, dealing with recent events and ongoing investigations. It lacks direct quotes but originates from a generally reliable source. The plausibility of the claims is high, aligning with typical legal and safety responses to such incidents.
