UK hockey team retires Adam Johnson's No. 47 to honor player who died after neck cut

Adam Johnson made as big an impression off the ice as he did on it for the Nottingham Panthers.

The U.K. hockey team officially retired Johnson's No. 47 jersey on Saturday in tribute to the American forward who died after his neck was cut by an opponent’s skate during a game over a year ago.

“Adam was a top player, but he was an even better human being,” Panthers CEO Omar Pacha said at a pre-game ceremony attended by members of Johnson's family.

The Minnesota native, who briefly played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, died shortly after a collision with Sheffield Steelers defenseman Matt Petgrave in the Elite Ice Hockey League in October 2023.