No criminal charges will be brought against Matt Petgrave, the Sheffield Steelers player arrested in connection with the tragic death of Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concluded that there was no realistic chance of securing a conviction after a thorough investigation and review of all the evidence. The CPS made this decision following an 18-month investigation into the incident, which occurred in October 2023 during a match between the two teams.
Adam Johnson tragically died from a neck injury after a collision with Petgrave, where the latter’s skate blade struck Johnson’s neck. The incident, described by the Panthers as a “freak accident,” resulted in Johnson receiving immediate medical attention on the ice, with CPR performed at the scene. Despite these efforts, Johnson succumbed to his injuries shortly after. Johnson had previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and had a successful career in Canada, Germany, and the UK before joining the Panthers.
At the time of the incident, Petgrave was placed on police bail, pending further investigation. Over the following months, South Yorkshire police worked closely with the CPS to determine whether criminal charges should be filed. Despite the tragedy, both the police and the CPS concluded that, based on the evidence available, there was no realistic prospect of a conviction. Michael Quinn, the deputy chief crown prosecutor, emphasized the seriousness of the incident, noting that it was a “shocking and deeply upsetting” event. However, the CPS ultimately decided there were no grounds for prosecution.
Petgrave had been publicly named during a fundraising campaign in December 2024, where he shared details of his arrest and the ongoing investigation. The appeal was launched on CrowdJustice.com to help cover his legal costs while on police bail, as well as additional expenses if the matter proceeded to criminal court. The campaign successfully raised over £18,000, with Petgrave stating that any remaining funds would be donated to initiatives aimed at promoting safety in hockey.
Following Johnson’s death, the international ice hockey community has made moves to address safety concerns. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) implemented mandatory neck guards for all its affiliated leagues starting with the 2024-25 season. Despite this change, the NHL has not yet made neck guards mandatory for its players.
In the wake of Johnson’s death, the Nottingham Panthers made the decision to retire his No. 47 jersey, marking the seventh time in the club’s history that a shirt has been retired in honor of a player. This move served as a tribute to Johnson’s legacy and his impact on the team and the sport.
The decision not to press charges comes after a long and emotional period for all those involved, particularly Johnson’s family, friends, and teammates. While the incident has highlighted the risks inherent in ice hockey, it has also prompted the sport’s governing bodies to take action to prevent similar tragedies in the future, particularly in terms of player safety equipment. The introduction of neck guards and the growing awareness of the dangers associated with ice hockey have sparked ongoing discussions about how to improve player protection without compromising the intensity and physicality that are integral to the sport.
