LONDON, ENGLAND: Ryan Wolfe, the fiancee of American ice hockey star Adam Johnson who tragically died in a freak accident, has poured her heart out in a touching tribute.
Nottingham Panthers player Johnson's life was cut short when a collision with an opponent during a game against the Sheffield Steelers on Saturday, October 28 led to a fatal injury – a severed throat caused by the opponent's skate blade, all while his fiancee watched from the stands.
Ryan Wolfe's heartfelt tribute to Adam Johnson
The 29-year-old briefly stood up, bleeding profusely onto the ice. Despite immediate medical attention and CPR performed on the ice, Johnson could not be saved, leaving the sports world in shock.
Johnson and Wolfe became engaged in June 2022 and were living together in England. She took to Instagram to remember her beloved partner, posting a touching photo of Johnson and expressing her deep sorrow, saying, "My sweet, sweet angel. I'll miss you forever and love you always."
Wolfe, originally from Oak Grove, Minnesota, was present in the crowd and reportedly ran onto the ice following the incident to pray for Johnson. The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of support, with a GoFundMe campaign raising over £12,000 ($14.5K) to support Johnson's bereaved family from more than 700 donations thus far.
Johnson leaves behind his grieving family, including his father Davey, mother Sue, and an older brother, also named Ryan. A family friend shared that Johnson's grandmother, Marilyn, was "his biggest fan."
Calls for mandatory neckguards grow louder
The incident has also ignited discussions on player safety in professional ice hockey, with growing calls for the mandatory use of neck guards, currently required only for players under 20 in the UK. Notably, North America's National Hockey League (NHL) has witnessed two previous neck-slashing incidents, but prompt medical treatment saved the players involved.
In response to the weekend's tragedy, the NIHL Division 1 South team Oxford City Stars announced plans to introduce mandatory neck guards for all players, making them a "non-negotiable component" of attire during practices and games.
