Former Penguins Prospect Seriously Injured in UK Game

Adam Johnson, who played in 13 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2018-19 and 2019-20 and spent large parts of three seasons with their Wilkes-Barre/Scranton AHL affiliate, was injured in what various reports described as a serious on-ice incident Saturday while playing for Nottingham of the EIHL in the United Kingdom.

UPDATE: Johnson has died from his injuries. Read the full story on the passing of Adam Johnson here.

According to the Daily Mail, Johnson, 29, was cut in the neck with a skate blade during a game between the Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers.

Neither the extent of his injuries nor his status were immediately clear. According to reports, screens were brought onto the ice and all fans were asked to leave Utilita Arena. Attendance was about 8,000, according to the Daily Mail.

Johnson, who was undrafted, is from Grand Rapids, Minn. He played two seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and clinched that school’s berth in the Frozen Four in 2017 with an overtime goal against Boston University.

Known for his speed, he attended a Penguins summer development/prospects camp and then opted to leave school following his sophomore season. He signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Penguins in July 2017. He played his only 13 NHL games with the Penguins, notching one goal and three assists.

With Nottingham this season, Johnson has four goals, seven points in seven games.