‘I’ll miss you forever and love you always’: Adam Johnson’s fiancée’s heartbreaking tribute to ice hockey star who died in ‘freak accident’ on the ice after proposing in the summer

The fiancée of the ice hockey star who died in a freak accident today paid tribute to her ‘sweet, sweet angel’, saying: ‘I will miss you forever and love you always.’

Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson had his throat slit by an opponent’s skate blade when they collided during a match against the Sheffield Steelers on Saturday.

The 29-year-old briefly stood up, bleeding profusely on the ice, before collapsing again during the match in Sheffield. He received immediate medical attention, with CPR performed on the ice, and was taken to hospital, but could not be saved.

Now his girlfriend Ryan Wolfe has paid tribute on Instagram, posting a photo of him and saying: ‘My sweet, sweet angel. I will miss you forever and love you always.”

Minnesota-born Johnson and Miss Wolfe were engaged this summer and were living together in England, his former college teammate Riley Tufte said. The Athletics.

Miss Wolfe, originally from Oak Grove, Minnesota, was in the crowd and ran onto the ice after the incident before praying for Johnson. The sun.

Johnson is survived by his father Davey, mother Sue and an older brother, also named Ryan. A family friend added that his grandmother Marilyn was “his biggest fan.”

The tragedy has now led to calls for professional players to wear neck protectors – which are only mandatory in this country for players under the age of 20.

There have been two previous incidents of neck strain in the North American National Hockey League (NHL), but in both incidents the players were saved by prompt treatment by medics.

The incident happened in the 35th minute of Saturday’s Elite Ice Hockey League match in front of 8,000 fans at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield. The game was later abandoned.

Footage showed Sheffield Steelers player Matt Petgrave colliding with one of Johnson’s teammates, causing him to lose balance and his leg to come up and make contact with Johnson’s neck.

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.

Peter Spencer, the BBC Radio Sheffield ice hockey reporter who was at the match, said the home team doctor and the Panthers physio “went straight onto the ice to look after him”.

They were joined by paramedics and two trauma nurses from the crowd. Players formed a shield to hide what was happening from the public.

Screens were then lowered onto the ice, but the medical team was seen performing CPR before Johnson was taken to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

Mr Spencer added that hockey was “a fast, physical and sometimes brutal sport” but it was “certainly not an incident I have ever seen and hopefully I will not see anything like it again”.

Caroline Crossland, a spectator at the match, said of X: “I don’t even know how to feel or what to think after the horrific accident we saw tonight.”

Referring to the player whose skate caused the fatal injury, she added: “It was devastating to see him break from shock and trauma, I can’t imagine how he feels.”

A parent of a shocked fan said: ‘My 17 year old came home in pieces, he said he can’t see what he saw tonight. He’s as white as a sheet. My thoughts and prayers are with the teams involved.”

A spokesman for the Panthers said yesterday: ‘The Nottingham Panthers are truly devastated by the news that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident during last night’s match in Sheffield.

“The Panthers would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Adam’s family, his partner and all his friends at this extremely difficult time.

“Everyone at the club, including players, staff, management and owners, is heartbroken by the news of Adam’s passing.

‘Our thoughts are also with the fans and staff of both clubs, especially those who attended or followed the match, who will be devastated by today’s news.

“The Panthers would like to thank everyone who rushed to support Adam last night in the toughest of circumstances.

“Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding hockey player, but also a great teammate and an incredible human being with his whole life ahead of him. The club will miss him enormously and will never forget him.

‘We ask that the privacy of Adam’s family and friends and everyone at the club is respected at this difficult time as we all try to come to terms with our grief.’

Yesterday’s three Elite League games in Belfast, Fife and Guildford were postponed following Johnson’s death, while Nottingham later confirmed via X that tomorrow’s home game against Glasgow Clan had also been postponed.

The statement read: ‘The club will provide updates on our website and social media regarding future matches and all ticket information for postponed matches as soon as this is possible.

“We ask for everyone’s understanding and patience regarding this news and ask that fans refrain from emailing or contacting the club while our staff processes today’s tragic news.”

Minnesota-born Johnson played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League before spending the 2020-21 season in Sweden with the Malmo Redhawks.

The Penguins said in a statement: “The Pittsburgh Penguins join the entire hockey world in mourning the loss of Adam Johnson, whose life tragically ended far too soon.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Adam’s family and friends, as well as to all of Adam’s past and present teammates and coaches.

“Adam will always be part of the Penguins family. We were honored to watch him fulfill his dream of playing in the National Hockey League.”

The NHL also expressed its condolences. A statement said: “The National Hockey League family mourns the passing of former Pittsburgh Penguin Adam Johnson. Our prayers and deepest condolences go to his family, friends and teammates.”

Johnson went on to play in the American Hockey League for the Ontario Reign and in Germany for the Augsburger Panther before agreeing to join Nottingham for the 2023-2024 season.

A statement from the Elite Ice Hockey League read: “The Elite Ice Hockey League is heartbroken to confirm that Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson has sadly passed away following a freak accident in Saturday’s match between Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers,” a statement from the Elite Ice Hockey League read. statement of the competition.

‘In light of this deeply disturbing news, the Elite League has postponed all matches scheduled for Sunday, October 29, 2023.

“The thoughts and condolences of everyone associated with the EIHL go out to Adam’s family, friends and teammates at this incredibly sad and difficult time.”

Sheffield said in their own statement: “Everyone at the Steelers extends their condolences to Adam Johnson’s partner, family and teammates.”

South Yorkshire Police said ‘our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident continues’.