Adam Johnson’s family and friends spoke Monday of his sharp banter, genuine personality and infectious, mischievous smile as they honored his life at a memorial service in his hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota.
A crowd estimated at 3,000 people at Hibbing Memorial Arena gave an ovation after Johnson’s fiancé, Ryan Wolfe, read a letter she wrote to him.
“You are such a special person. You had the best sense of humor, the biggest heart, the quickest wit and the kindest soul. “You are incredibly loyal, dedicated and smart,” she said. “I am so lucky to have loved you and to be loved by you unconditionally.”
Monday’s memorial came nine days after Johnson, a former NHL forward and player for England’s Nottingham Panthers, died after what his team described as a “freak accident” during a game in Britain’s top hockey league. Johnson, 29, suffered a severe cut to his neck from an ice skate collision.
Attendees in Hibbing ranged from family to hometown friends, including members of the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues. Jake Doherty, a friend and Hibbing/Chisholm High teammate, said Johnson “will always be our hometown hero.”
“I can’t imagine what life will be like without Adam,” Doherty said. “He will be missed by many. I can only hope that the many memories we have with Adam will carry us through and help us heal in time. You will never be forgotten, Adam. I want to say to all the young hockey players in the audience today, aspire to be like Adam. Work hard, be a good teammate, be humble and be proud of where you come from.”
Johnson’s sister-in-law and childhood friend Ebony Johnson spoke about Johnson’s special relationship with her son and daughter.
“Adam never hesitated to put everyone else before himself, and that includes his niece and nephew,” she said. “He was gentle, funny and playful, but also protective, wise and understanding.”
Screenshot from the video of the funeral service. (Hibbing Sports)
Hibbing/Chisholm will retire Johnson’s No. 7 on Dec. 5 before the home game.
“Adam was so much more than just a hockey player or the jersey numbers you’ve been seeing lately. Adam had a way about him that impressed people. He made friends easily and maintained a large number of friends even while traveling all over the world, said Michael Pechnovnik, Johnson’s cousin and high school teammate. “If you were lucky enough to be friends with Adam, that’s something different. His friendships were authentic and very sincere.”
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The memorial ended with AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long,” a tribute to Johnson’s youth. At age 13, he saved up to buy a deep blue guitar and learn to play.
Johnson, who played two seasons for the University of Minnesota Duluth, reached the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins, recording one goal and three assists in 13 games during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
He joined the Nottingham Panthers this summer to play in the Elite Ice Hockey League, which includes 10 franchises including teams in Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England.
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Following Johnson’s death, the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) made neck pads/protectors a mandatory item of equipment for “players of all levels in English ice hockey”. The mandate takes effect on January 1, 2024, but does not include the EIHL, in which the Panthers play.
South Yorkshire Police – which is responsible for investigating Johnson’s death – said their investigation was “still ongoing” and was likely to “take some time”. On Friday the police investigation was postponed until January because the investigation was “not yet complete”.
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(Photo: Michael Russo / The Athletic)