An inquest into the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson has been opened and adjourned until January.
The Nottingham Panthers player died after being cut to the neck by a skate during a game against Sheffield Steelers on October 28. His club described it as a “freak accident”.
South Yorkshire Police said earlier this week that their investigation “remains ongoing” and is likely to “take some time”.
Following a short hearing at the Medico-Legal Center in Sheffield on Friday November 3, an inquest into the death of the 29-year-old American was opened and adjourned until January 26, 2024.
The inquest heard that Johnson was taken to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield on October 28, where he died as a result of his injury later that day.
He was officially identified by his fiancée, Ryan Wolfe.
Senior coroner Tanyka Rawden said: “I am unable to complete the inquest today as my investigation is ongoing.”
The coroner stressed that January 26 was set aside for a review and not the full inquest.
She concluded by saying she wanted to “take this opportunity to express my sincere condolences to his family, friends and everyone who knew him during this difficult time.”
Johnson was recognized from across the sport, and fans were invited by the Panthers to attend a memorial service at their home stadium on Saturday.
Earlier this week, the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) announced it would make approved neck guards/protectors a mandatory item of equipment for “players of all levels in English ice hockey” following his death.
Johnson’s former NHL employer, the Pittsburgh Penguins, is also a pioneer in the development of neck protection.
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(Photo: Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)