Adam Johnson’s Nottingham Panthers teammate Westin Michaud has spoken out in support of Matt Petgrave.
Johnson, 29, died on the ice in front of 8,000 spectators after his neck was severed by opponent Petgrave’s skate following a collision during the Panthers’ match against the Sheffield Steelers in England on Saturday.
The incident has sparked controversy, with some speculating whether Petgrave kicked Johnson intentionally.
But Johnson’s teammate, 27-year-old Michaud, has come to Petgrave’s defense and spoken out on social media.
“I need to discuss something regarding the accident,” Michaud posted on X. “We fully support Matt Petgrave. The hate Matt is receiving is horrible and completely inappropriate. I was sitting at ice level on the bench closest to the accident, I saw both players moving quickly.
Adam Johnson (right) died after his neck was cut by the knife of Matt Petgrave (left).
Johnson’s Nottingham Panthers teammate Westin Michaud has defended Petgrave
Michaud took to social media to criticize the abuse and backlash Petgrave has faced
‘The Sheffield player’s accidental clip of the Panther player’s leg caused the somersault. It is clear to me that his actions were unintentional and anyone who suggests otherwise is mistaken. Let us come together and not spread baseless hatred against anyone who needs (our) support.”
Michaud’s public support for Petgrave comes after former NHL player Sean Avery called the Steelers defenseman a “dirty player” and claimed he was “absolutely” trying to hook up with Johnson.
However, when Fox host Jesse Watters said it looked like “murder,” Avery said, “That’s a pretty dangerous word to throw around.” I’ve seen it, it’s horrible, it’s hard to watch.
“Did this guy make a move that was very unorthodox? Do I think he was trying to make contact somehow? Absolute.’
Avery added, “Do I think he woke up and said I’m going to kill someone today? No.’
Former NFL player and radio host Jermaine Wiggins also sparked outrage when he suggested Petgrave had deliberately kicked Johnson.
Discussing the tragic accident on The Greg Hill Show last week Wiggins said: “I think the other player, I forget his name, I’m drawing a blank now, but they’ve said he’s had some situations in the past.
“If you look at it – look at it again – he’s kicking him a little bit. It looks like it wasn’t an accident.’
Sheffield Steelers player Petgrave, 31, fatally slit Johnson’s throat with his knife in what is described as a ‘freak accident’ when they collided in front of 8,000 fans during a match
Matt Petgrave (file image) crashed into one of Johnson’s teammates in a collision that caused him to lose his balance before his leg came up and made contact with Johnson’s neck
Adam Johnson in action for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL in Columbus, Ohio, in 2017
The incident on Saturday happened in the 35th minute of the Elite Ice Hockey League match at the Nutita Arena in Sheffield. The game was later abandoned.
Footage showed Petgrave ccrashed into one of Johnson’s teammates on Saturday in which he lost his balance before his leg came up and made contact with Johnson’s neck.
Following the incident during Saturday’s Challenge Cup match, both the Panthers and the EIHL described the clash as a ‘freak accident’, but police are investigating Johnson’s death and Petgrave has been subjected to horrific taunts and racist abuse.
Video of the incident showed Johnson getting to his feet, blood pouring onto the ice. He was helped by a referee and a teammate as he left the rink, but collapsed on the ice.
He received immediate medical attention, with CPR performed on the ice, and was taken to hospital, but could not be saved.
Petgrave has played in eight different leagues during his career and has been described as a ‘dirty player’ by Fox presenters and people online.
According to sources, he is currently the Elite Ice Hockey League’s most penalized player in the 2022-2023 competition. EuroHockey.
Petgrave has accumulated a total of 129 PIM, penalty violation minutes.
Sean Avery has suggested that the Petgrave kick that killed Johnson was intentional, but declined to call it a murder when pressed by Fox host Jesse Watters
Jermaine Wiggins (left) sparked controversy by claiming hockey player Adam Johnson was deliberately kicked by his opponent in the accident that cost him his life
And between 2013 and 2017, he ranked with 328 career penalty minutes, according to PeaceHockey.
While playing in the Canadian Hockey League in 2010, Petgrave was suspended five games “for a foul in the third period of last Saturday’s 9-4 win over Sarnia.”
And in 2018, he was suspended indefinitely for his conduct in the ECHL in New Jersey.
The American Hockey League also suspended Petgrave in 2018, according to their press release at the time: “Laval Rocket defenseman Matt Petgrave has been suspended for one (1) game following a swerving incident during a game in Toronto on March. 28.
The Toronto-born Petgrave joined the Steelers last summer from HC Dunamo Pardubice of the Czech Republic, and also recently played for Slovakian team HIK Spisska Nova Ves.
The 6-foot-1 player attended the University of New Brunswick, where he played ice hockey for four seasons before turning pro in 2017.
He joined East Coast Hockey League side Brampton Beast, based in Ontario, that year, and also had spells with Syracuse Crunch, Laval Rocket, Utica Comets, Florida Everblades and Kansas City Mavericks.
Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson and his fiancée Ryan Wolfe at a family wedding in June 2022
Adam Johnson and Ryan Wolfe, pictured in July 2022, were engaged this summer
Steelers head coach Aaron Fox previously described Petgrave as an “impact player” who can be a “game changer” and play “all positions.”
Last season he was named to the Elite Ice Hockey League all-star team.
Johnson played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons and the team paid tribute to their former player ahead of their game against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night.
Instead of asking for silence, the Penguins asked the crowd for one last cheer for Johnson — which was described as “quite a moment.”
His fiancée Ryan Wolfe paid tribute on Instagram, posting a photo of him and saying, “My sweet, sweet angel. I will miss you forever and love you always.”