Ice hockey gamers and followers have paid tribute to the late Adam Johnson at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.
The 29-year-old American died after his neck was cut by a skate whereas enjoying for Nottingham Panthers away to Sheffield Steelers on 28 October.
That sport was deserted and the Panthers performed their first game since the incident on Saturday.
A sell-out crowd gathered for the Adam Johnson Memorial Game, with Manchester Storm offering the opposition.
Fans continued to lay flowers and choices in tribute exterior the world for Johnson, who had a spell with the Pittsburgh Penguins within the NHL and joined the Panthers in August, earlier than the 2023-24 season.
The crowd of about 10,000 chanted Johnson’s title because the gamers took to the ice. The gamers then gathered within the centre and because the area lights pale, an image of Johnson was displayed on the principle scoreboard above the rink.
During the pre-game ceremony, there was applause from the group whereas the gamers tapped their sticks on the ice, and the spectators rose to supply a minute’s applause after 47 minutes. The Panthers are retiring Johnson’s jersey quantity – 47.
Players on each groups wore memorial jerseys bearing Johnson’s title and quantity, which can be raffled. Other memorial merchandise was accessible, with all earnings being donated to the ‘Love for Hibbing & Hockey Memorial Fund’, which was established to assist charitable causes in Johnson’s hometown space of Hibbing, Minnesota.
The Panthers will return to competitive action with an Elite League sport at house to Belfast Giants on 26 November.
