Adam Johnson: Memorial game for ice hockey player after death

Nottingham Panthers are to return to the ice for the first time since the death of their player Adam Johnson.

The 29-year-old ice hockey player died after his neck was cut by a skate during a game against Sheffield Steelers on 28 October.

The Adam Johnson Memorial Game will take place at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on 18 November.

The club said it wanted to honour everything about who Johnson was as a person and a player.

The Panthers will face Manchester Storm in the exhibition game, which starts at 19:00 GMT.

The club's chief executive Omar Pacha thanked supporters and partners for their patience during a "difficult time".

"We want to honour Adam and everything about who he was as a person and a player," he said.

"It's bound to be an emotional night but a special one too as we come together to remember Adam, but this is also an important process for getting the team back on the ice.

"Each player is going through their own process and there is no pressure on any of them."

Panthers head coach Jonathan Paredes has described Mr Johnson as "an outstanding person and a remarkable hockey player".

He said: "This is a special group of players and they will miss Adam hugely and they will never forget him."

Nottingham Panthers has previously described Mr Johnson's death as a "freak accident".

The use of neck guards has since been "strongly encouraged" by the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) but not made mandatory.

The club said more information about how to purchase tickets to the Adam Johnson Memorial Game would be released later.

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