Hockey player Matt Petgrave referred to the passing of Adam Johnson as “a tragic accident” while seeking financial support for his legal expenses amidst an ongoing police investigation.
Johnson, who had a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins, lost his life after a collision during a game in Sheffield, England, when Petgrave’s skate inadvertently struck his neck.
To assist with his legal costs, Petgrave has successfully raised close to £10,000 (approximately $12,500) through a crowdfunding campaign launched on a UK platform.
Meanwhile, a man, whose identity has not been disclosed by the authorities, is under investigation following his arrest on suspicion of manslaughter.
South Yorkshire Police have re-bailed this individual multiple times, with the last occurrence being in early November.
As of now, no formal criminal charges have been brought against him.
In his appeal on the CrowdJustice platform, Petgrave, a 32-year-old defenseman for the Sheffield Steelers, expressed, “On October 28, 2023, I was involved in a tragic accident that resulted in the passing of fellow ice hockey player Adam Johnson.”
He also mentioned that the legal process has been both lengthy and difficult due to the ongoing police investigation.
The statement continued, “I am seeking help to cover some of my legal costs while I am subject to police bail as well as additional costs if this matter progresses to criminal court. Any leftover funds will be allocated to efforts that improve safety in hockey, in accordance with CrowdJustice’s policy regarding unused funds.”
CrowdJustice confirmed that they perform thorough vetting before allowing fundraisers to proceed.
They maintain that all contributions collected will be directed to a designated lawyer’s account.
According to their information, “We can affirm these checks have been completed for the Matthew Petgrave campaign. The funds raised will be forwarded directly to the instructed lawyers.”
Petgrave’s campaign mentions Manchester law firm Burton Copeland, which did not return inquiries made via email and phone regarding further details.
The tragic incident unfolded as Johnson, a 29-year-old forward for the Nottingham Panthers, was maneuvering with the puck in Sheffield’s defensive area.
As he turned to enter, Petgrave, who faced an opposing Panthers player, made contact. Subsequently, as Petgrave began to fall, his left skate was raised, leading to Johnson sustaining a fatal injury to his neck.
In his statement, Petgrave noted, “Initially, I had insurance coverage; however, due to circumstances beyond my control, this has been terminated. Furthermore, the duration and expenses tied to the legal investigation and possible court actions are becoming unmanageable for me to handle independently.”
He also shared that his expired UK visa has prevented him from pursuing a career in professional ice hockey while he navigates the necessities of legal support.
Adam Johnson was engaged to his fiancée Ryan Wolfe and was also a student at Loughborough Business School at the time of the incident.
Following Johnson’s tragic death, the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League mandated the use of neck guards starting January 1 of this year, just two months after the untimely event.
