Man Arrested On Suspicion Manslaughter In Ex-NHLer Adam Johnson's Death Re-Bailed Again

Police in the United Kingdom have announced that a man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in the death of former NHL player Adam Johnson has had his bail extended again.

"On 14 November 2023, a man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. He was later bailed. Today (Tuesday 14 May) he has been further re-bailed until 26 June 2024," South Yorkshire Police said in a statement, per Sportsnet.

"Adam's loved ones remain at the forefront of our minds as this complex investigation continues. If there are any developments before the new bail expiry date, these will be issued proactively on the South Yorkshire Police website."

Johnson – who formerly played for the Pittsburgh Penguins — was killed during an Elite Ice Hockey League game on October 28 between his Nottingham Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers. 

Johnson was hit in the neck by the skate blade of Steelers player Matt Petgrave according to reports and video of the incident. However, police in the UK have never confirmed the identity of the person arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

This is the second time the man's bail has been extended since his initial arrest in November, about two weeks after the incident.

The death of Adam Johnson — who spent the bulk of his North American career in the Pittsburgh Penguins — brought hockey's neck guard conversation to the forefront.  (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)

Johnson's death ignited conversations about neck protection in hockey around the globe. The sport's governing body in England and Wales — the English Ice Hockey Association — made neck guards mandatory after Johnson's death, however, that mandate does not apply to the EIHL.

Earlier this year, USA Hockey announced plans to mandate neck protection for all players under the age of 18 which will go into effect on August 1, just in time for the 2024-25 season.

While neck protection isn't mandatory in the National Hockey League, more players have been choosing to use it following Johnson's death. One of the more notable names to adopt it is Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie.