Footage of NHL players incident shows twist as police investigate

Former hockey player Sean Avery has claimed Matt Petgrave, whose skate slit an opponent’s throat during a game and killed him, intended to make contact using an “unorthodox move”.

Former NHL player Adam Johnson, 29, died on Sunday after a clash with Petgrave during an Elite Ice Hockey League match in the UK.

Police have launched an investigation, while there are now questions about Petgrave’s role during what was described by the EIHL as a “freak accident” in front of 8,000 people.

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In the aftermath, Fox News host Jesse Watters called Petgrave a “dirty” player, even claiming his actions looked like “homicide”.

Avery immediately rejected that suggestion, saying: “That’s a pretty dangerous word to be throwing around. I’ve watched it, it’s terrible, it’s tough to watch.”

However, Avery claimed that Petgrave’s motion towards Johnson before making contact was unusual.

“Did this kid make a move that was very unorthodox? Do I think he was trying to make contact of some sort? Absolutely,” Avery said.

“I saw the hit. I saw the leg move. It shouldn’t have been where it was. It’s terrible. I can’t even watch the video back.”

He added: “Do I think he woke up and said I’m going to murder somebody today? No.”

Meanwhile, another former pro, Chris Therien, wrote on X that he was “literally appalled and sickened by what I saw”.

Teams in England have since announced plans to make wearing neck guards mandatory.

Fans, who had seen the incident described as “one in a million” said Petgrave was “absolutely distraught” as the incident unfolded.

Footage earlier this week emerged of the moment where Petgrave collided with Johnson, flooring his opponent.

The match was stopped in the 35th minute as Johnson received emergency treatment on the ice.

Shortly after the accident, players reportedly formed a ring around Johnson while he received treatment before protective screens were raised.

He was later taken to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital while the Panthers tweeted shortly after the incident that spectators had “been asked to leave the building due to a major medical emergency”.

The graphic footage of the incident has been spreading across the internet in recent hours with Petgrave’s leg appearing to kick out towards Johnson’s head after the Steelers player had taken contact from one of Johnson’s teammates.

Video also shows Johnson attempted to skate back to his team’s bench, but officials and teammates stopped him and called for help.

Police from South Yorkshire have since confirmed an investigation has been launched.

According to police, officers were called at 8.25pm after reports that a player had been seriously injured during the game.

“Officers attended the scene alongside other emergency services and one man, aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries,” the police statement read.

“Sadly, he was later pronounced deceased at hospital.”

“Our officers remain at the scene carrying out enquiries and our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remain ongoing.

“We would encourage the public to avoid speculation regarding the incident while we continue our enquiries.”

The footage has sparked anger online with Petgrave being attacked by social media users.

A leading legal expert has now told Newsweek it is possible, but unlikely, Petgrave could be charged for manslaughter.

“From what I have read on the news, it seems very unlikely the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) would prosecute,” Nicola Lacey, professor of law, gender and social policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), told Newsweek

“For manslaughter you need either gross negligence — a really large departure from normal standards of care such as to justify criminal liability; or an unlawful and dangerous act — the latter only likely if for example there had be a pretty flagrant breach of the sport’s rules.

“If it was really a ‘freak accident,’ neither of those tests would be met; and the CPS can only prosecute where there is a realistic chance of conviction.”

Johnson’s girlfriend Ryan Wolfe earlier shared a heartbreaking update.

In a post shared on her Instagram Stories, Ryan Wolfe wrote alongside a photo of Johnson, “My sweet sweet angel. I’ll miss you forever and love you always.”

A Minnesota native, Johnson played for two seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth before joining the Pittsburgh Penguins’ AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

He appeared in 13 NHL games, all of which were with the Penguins.

“The Pittsburgh Penguins join the entire hockey world in mourning the loss of Adam Johnson, whose life tragically ended far too soon,” the team said in a statement.

“Adam will always be a part of the Penguins family. It was our honour to watch him fulfil his dream of playing in the National Hockey League.”

Johnson joined the Panthers in August.

He got engaged over the summer, Johnson’s former college teammate, Riley Tufte, told The Athletic, which noted Wolfe had been living in England with him.

The Sun reports Wolfe was watching on in the stadium when the incident occurred.

The Nottingham Panthers mourned his death in a statement on Monday.

“Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player, but also a great teammate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him,” the team.

“The Club will dearly miss him and will never forget him.”