An inquest into the horrific death of ice hockey star Adam Johnson is set to get underway.
Johnson, a player on the Nottingham Panthers, had his throat slashed by Matt Petgrave’s skate in traumatic scenes that unfolded in front of a crowd of around 8000 at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
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Footage of the tragedy emerged on Tuesday with one viral video showing Petgrave appeared to lift his leg with a kicking motion towards Johnson’s upper body.
Petgrave has since been the victim of a barrage of social media attacks with some Twitter users accusing him of deliberately injuring his opposition player.
The horror incident is now set to come under police scrutiny with the coroner’s office confirming an inquest into the star’s death will be opened at the Medico-Legal Centre in Sheffield.
South Yorkshire Police has confirmed it is investigating the incident but officers have said the inquiry ‘will take some time’.
Johnson’s teammates have stood by Petgrave amid claims from social media trolls he intentionally struck the ice skating star.
The collision was described as a “freak accident” in a club statement released by the Panthers, while Petgrave is said to be “absolutely distraught”. There has been no suggestion of wrongdoing.
Johnson’s teammate Westin Michaud, 28, paid tribute to the US-born forward as a man who “brought joy to all who knew him”.
But he also took to X, formerly Twitter, to defend Petgrave’s role in the collision.
“I need to address something about the accident. We wholeheartedly stand with Matt Petgrave. The hate that Matt is receiving is terrible and completely uncalled for,” he wrote.
“I was at ice level on the bench closest to the accident, I saw both players moving fast.
“The unintentional clip of the Panther player’s leg by the Sheffield player caused the somersault. It’s clear to me his actions were unintentional and anyone suggesting otherwise is mistaken.
“Let’s come together and not spread unwarranted hate to someone who needs [our] support.”
Panthers defenceman Björkung also told Swedish newspaper Expressen how his club was involving a psychologist and trauma team to help players in daily discussions.
He said: “I have tried to suppress a lot – you are so shocked at the moment, everything goes so damn fast.
“One moment you have your friend there, the next second he’s gone.”
He also condemned an “inhumane” online abuse which has been directed towards Petgrave, who Björkung said he had texted in support.
The Panthers player added: “No one in our team thinks it’s his fault, quite the opposite – we stand behind him.”
– with Jamie Phillips, The Sun
