Ice hockey player whose skate slit opponent’s throat applauded in return to rink | UK News

The ice hockey player whose skate slashed Adam Johnson’s throat during a game last month has been given a standing ovation on his return to the ice.

Matt Petgrave, who plays for the Sheffield Steelers, is believed to have been going for a tackle on one of Johnson’s teammates when the ‘freak accident’ occurred in front of around 8,000 fans on October 28.

The Nottingham Panthers forward was rushed to hospital, but died of his injuries.

Both the Panthers and the Steelers announced several of their upcoming games would be cancelled in the wake of the tragedy.

Petgrave remained off the rink for the first Steelers game following the return, but played again for the first time in the team’s 2-1 victory against the Coventry Blaze on Sunday.

Fans stood and applauded him in the 22nd minute of the match, a reference to his #22 jersey, at the same venue where Johnson was injured.

An emotional minute’s applause was also held ahead of the match in memory of Johnson, as a large screen above the rink played highlights from a playing career which included a stint in the American NHL.

Players laid a wreath in his memory alongside a poppy wreath marking Remembrance Sunday.

Steelers coach Aaron Fox who, like Johnson, is originally from Minnesota, said after the game: ‘We knew that we were going to have to get out here and get back in this building, get back playing hockey again.’

He added: ‘It’s been emotional.

‘But it’s a heck of a group of guys we’ve got in that room, it was nice to see them find a way this weekend.’

Last week, the Nottingham Panthers announced they would be withdrawing from this year’s Challenge Cup competition.

The team will return to the ice on Saturday to play a memorial match for Johnson against the Manchester Storm.

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