Man held on suspicion of manslaughter after ice hockey player’s death has been bailed

A man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson has been released on bail, police said. Mr Johnson died on October 28 last year after being hit in the neck by an opposing player’s skate during a game at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.

The 29-year-old American, who played for Nottingham Panthers against Sheffield Steelers, died in hospital. A post-mortem examination confirmed that he died of a neck injury. A man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in November and later released on bail by South Yorkshire Police.

On Thursday, he was released on bail until June 26, the force confirmed in a statement. It added: “Adam’s loved ones remain at the forefront of our minds as this complex investigation continues.”

Mr Johnson’s death shocked the ice hockey world, especially as the incident was witnessed by thousands of fans at the arena in Sheffield. In January, Sheffield’s senior coroner, Tanyka Rawden, suspended her inquest while the police investigation ran its course.

It later emerged that Ms Rawden had issued a report on preventing future deaths to Great Britain Ice Hockey and the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) about the use of neck guards in the sport.

In the report, the coroner said she was “sufficiently concerned that deaths may occur in the future if neck protection or protective devices are not worn”, with bodies given 56 days to say what measures were taken – or why no action was taken. .

Neck guards have been mandatory in the Elite League (EIHL), in which Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers compete, since January 1. This followed the International Ice Hockey Federation’s decision in December to mandate the use of neck laceration protections for its competitions.