Nottingham Players return to ice to take on Manchester for memorial game in memory of Adam Johnson

Nottingham Panthers players returned to the ice on Saturday evening (November 18) for the Adam Johnson Memorial Game at the Motorpoint Arena against Manchester.

Further tributes were paid to their former team-mate, 29, who died in hospital on October 28 after being hit in the neck by an opposition player’s skate during the Panthers’ away Challenge Cup match against Sheffield Steelers. A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and been bailed to a date in the new year as inquiries continue.

The Panthers, who had not played since Johnson’s death, were joined by Manchester Storm for the exhibition game, which was hoped could help bring the team and fans together as they look to move forwards.

READ MORE "I took my kids to the new Trafford Centre Santa's grotto and there was a big change this year"

READ MORE Man in hospital with serious injury after reports of men fighting in the street

Fans have continued to lay tributes outside the Motorpoint Arena for Johnson, who also had a spell with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL and joined the Panthers ahead of the 2023–24 season.

Players were cheered onto the ice for the warm-up, with both teams wearing special game jerseys, which were set to be raffled afterwards. The sell-out crowd chanted Johnson’s name as the players took to the ice before making their way to the centre.

All profits will be donated to the ‘Love for Hibbing & Hockey Memorial Fund’, which was established to support charitable causes in Johnson’s hometown area of Hibbing, Minnesota in the United States.

As the lights in the arena faded, Johnson’s picture was displayed on the main scoreboard above the rink, alongside the words ‘forever our 47’ in honour of his shirt number, which will be retired in