- Nottingham Panthers players wore neck protectors during the tribute match to Adam Johnson
- Johnson died at the age of 29 after being hit in the neck with a skate
- Hundreds of floral tributes and messages were left outside Motorpoint Arena
Nottingham Panthers players wore neck protectors during Adam Johnson’s tribute match at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.
Johnson, who played for the Panthers, died after being hit in the neck with a skate during a game against Sheffield Steelers last month.
Johnson, 29, was pronounced dead from a fatal neck injury, and a man was arrested on Tuesday on charges of manslaughter – before later being released on bail.
Taking to the ice on Saturday evening, at least 14 players were visibly wearing neck protectors during the memorial match against Manchester Storm, with Ollie Betteridge and Mike Robinson among those doing so.
The Panthers have confirmed they will retire Johnson’s No. 47 jersey.
Many Nottingham Panthers players wore neck protectors during the tribute match to Adam Johnson
Logan Nielsen of the Nottingham Panthers wore a neck protector during the match
At least 14 of the Panthers players wore neck protectors during the match against Manchester Storm
As reported by BBC SportsThe English Ice Hockey Association will make neck protectors mandatory from 2024.
Canadian hockey teams have also made neck protectors mandatory.
However, the Elite Ice Hockey League, the division in which Johnson played, said it has no plans to make neck protectors mandatory.
Supporters laid wreaths, flowers and jerseys outside the Motorpoint Arena to pay tribute to Johnson.
Tributes have been paid to Johnson, who died after being hit in the neck with a skate