As a result of the tragic hockey incident ending in NHL player Adam Johnson’s death, Matt Petgrave may face legal action. 

During a Nottingham Panthers and Sheffeild Steelers hockey game on Oct. 28, Johnson’s throat was cut by the skate of Petgrave, causing him to bleed out. Johnson was reported dead later that day, shocking the hockey community. “Adam Johnson’s death has really impacted the hockey world to the point where leagues are mandating neck guards,” said ice hockey player Max Patten.

During the play, Petgrave swerved past a Panthers player and his leg swung up, hitting Johnson’s neck. Due to the speed of the players, it is difficult to conclude what made Petgrave’s leg lift up. 

“The hit was a very weird scenario,” said hockey fan Hayden Boeh. “It looks like his {Petgrave} skate may have got caught on the Panther player.” 

Patten believes the intensity of the situation has a big impact on whether or not Petgrave actually lifted his leg or not. “As a hockey player, things like that just happen in the moment and it happens so quickly you can’t control your body in that situation.” Patten recalls many moments where he and his teammates get tripped and knocked down. “It’s part of the game.”

Hockey players and fans continue to voice their stance on the incident. Some say Petgrave kicked Johnson intentionally and should be punished while others argue for his innocence.  

Boeh doesn’t think Petgrave should be punished and instead it should be considered an unfortunate coincidence. “You would have to hit the neck so perfectly to cause that injury,” Boeh said. 

In the 2019-20 NHL season, 6 players were cut by an ice skate blade, temporarily putting them out of the game. With this being said, it is extremely rare for a player to have a cut related injury, much less a fatal injury.

“I don’t think he tried to kill him but it seems he was trying to kick him,” said senior Ethan Cline after watching the incident. He did not believe Petgrave, by any means, slipped and lost balance. He thought the kick was intentional but not aimed for the throat.Regardless of whether Petgrave truly meant to kick Johnson or if he lost his balance, he has been detained under suspicion of manslaughter by the British police. If found guilty of all accounts of involuntary manslaughter, he could face up to six years in prison.