Police have arrested Matt Petgrave on charges of manslaughter over the death of fellow hockey player Adam Johnson after a horrific incident that took place two weeks ago. During a game in England, Petgrave lifted his foot off of the ice and made contact with Johnson’s neck/throat area. Ice skaters wear razor-sharp skates, so any contact of this sort is very dangerous. The bottom of Petgrave’s skate sliced Johnson’s neck open. Blood immediately spilled everywhere as if he was shot or stabbed in the neck. The incident was gruesome to watch. Johnson died as a result of this injury.
It is unclear if this was a pure accident, done intentionally, or somewhere in between. Professional hockey players have chimed in on the issue and some of them say that it appears as if Petgrave tried to make contact with Johnson but he did not intend to hurt him. Matt Petgrave is widely known as a “dirty” player, having racked up the most penalties in one of the eight different leagues that he has played in.
SOURCES:
Ex-NHL Player Dies in Freak Accident on Ice – YouTube
Man is arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over death of ice hockey star Adam Johnson who was killed when opponent Matt Petgrave’s skate slashed his throat during match | Daily Mail Online
Man Arrested On Suspicion of Manslaughter for Hockey Player Throat-Slashing Death
Arrest made after ex-NHL player Adam Johnson killed by skate blade in on-ice collision
Ice hockey star whose skate killed Adam Johnson given standing ovation on return – Mirror Online
Matt Petgrave gets a standing ovation in first game since he caused the fatal cut on Adam Johnson’s neck | Marca
Man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in Adam Johnson’s death – ESPN
Arrest made in death of Adam Johnson, Minnesota native whose throat was cut during UK hockey game