Matt Petgrave Arrested in Adam Johnson Skate Blade Death

Three weeks after the tragic death of American hockey player Adam Johnson during an EIHL game, police in the UK have arrested Matt Petgrave on suspicion of manslaughter, after the incident in which his skate kicked up and cut Johnson's throat. 

BREAKING — British Police have arrested Hockey player Matt Petgrave and charged with him with manslaughter in death of Adam Johnson — developing

— Joe Warmington (@joe_warmington) November 14, 2023

Petgrave has been taken into custody. 

In the video of the incident, Petgrave's leg can be seen kicking up violently and striking Johnson in the throat. As Johnson was taken off the ice by medics, fans were evacuated from the building. Johnson died in hospital.

There has been much debate about whether Petgrave's leg kick that led to Johnson's death was deliberate or accidental, but it's certainly not an action that's seen very often in a hockey game. 

UK police engaged experts to help them determine the extent of how deliberate the action by Petgrave was. 

“We have been carrying out extensive inquiries to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall of the South Yorkshire Police. 

“We have been speaking to highly specialized experts in their field to assist in our inquiries and continue to work closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is supporting our ongoing investigation.”

Johnson, 29, had played a handful of games for the Pittsburgh Penguins several years ago before heading to the UK to continue his career.

Petgrave had only returned to game action for his Sheffield team on Sunday for the first time since the incident, and, for some reason, was given a standing ovation by the crowd.