The teammate of the tragically killed Adam Johnson has recalled the feelings he experienced upon seeing his friend suffer a cut carotid artery during a match between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers.
The incident happened at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield when Matt Petgrave attempted to block a Panthers player but lost his balance and slipped. His leg unfortunately rose into the air and caught the neck of the 6ft tall player, cutting his throat. Johnson received immediate help but died in an ambulance on the way to hospital from his injuries.
Victor Bjorkung, who plays defense for the Panthers, was on the ice when the incident happened and had passed the puck to Johnson moments before he suffered the fatal injury in what he described as “traumatizing”.
“I have tried to suppress a lot,” Bjorkung told Expressen. “You are so shocked at the moment, everything goes so damn fast. One moment you have your friend there, the next second he’s gone.
“Being on the ice when a friend I hold close dies like that. It’s terrible. It went so damn fast.
“I was a few meters away from him and I have a lot of memory gaps, but I have been told that I played the puck up to him on the left wing and then it takes a few seconds before… well, everyone knows what happens after that.”
South Yorkshire Police are currently investigating the incident that has left fans across the globe divided about the intentions of Petgrave as he went to engage the two Panthers players, with some alleging he wanted to hurt him but others insisting it was a tragic accident.
The Panthers are working with a team of psychologists and trauma professionals to help come to terms and handle the disaster.
GRAPHIC VIDEO – Former NHL player Adam Johnson died after accidentally cutting his throat with skate
Johnson’s aunt slams “reckless” Petgrave
Kari Johnson, the aunt of the American hockey player, described watching the incident at her home and criticized who she described as a “reckless” Petgrave, and that her family is seeking justice for her nephew.
“I think the actions were unnecessary,” Johnson said to South West News Service. “It was just unnecessary. Nobody touched him. I’ve watched that video hundreds of times.
“That’s not a hockey play, that’s not a check. I understand that every team has an enforcer, per se, on their team. I’m sure Mr. Petgrave probably didn’t even think about the consequences could be of that happening, but there comes a time when you have to realize, that’s not hockey.
“And I’m sure he’s going through a lot too, but he took our boy. There are a few of us in the family that think it was a totally unnecessary, very, very bad action to take.”
Johnson had been set to propose to his girlfriend, Ryan Wolfe, at the time of his death.
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