Man Arrested on Suspicion of Manslaughter in Hockey Player Adam Johnson’s Death Released on Bail
Per UK law, police did not name the suspect who they said was arrested on Tuesday
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Authorities in England announced on Wednesday that the man who was arrested on manslaughter charges in connection with the death of hockey player Adam Johnson has been released on bail.
“Our investigation continues and we will provide further updates as and when we can,” a news release from the South Yorkshire Police Department said, while confirming the man was no longer in custody.
The suspect's name will not be made public until he is charged with a crime, per UK law.
Video footage from the game on Oct. 28 shows Sheffield Steelers player Matt Petgrave’s skate blade making contact with Johnson’s neck after landing a hit.
Johnson, 29, who played for the Nottingham Panthers and previously for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, was treated on the ice before he was transported to Sheffield's Northern General Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Related: Police Arrest Man on Suspicion of Manslaughter in Skate Death of Hockey Player Adam Johnson
Following what was described at the time as a “freak accident,” police in England said they would open an investigation.
“Our investigation launched immediately following this tragedy and we have been carrying out extensive inquiries ever since to piece together the events which led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances,” Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.
The South Yorkshire Police Department confirmed to the BBC on Tuesday the arrest of a man — who they did not name — on suspicion of manslaughter.
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Related: English Hockey League Will Require Neck Guards Following Adam Johnson's 'Heart-Breaking' Death
Johnson, a University of Minnesota Duluth alum. played for the Penguins during both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, appearing in 13 games during his NHL career. The hockey player also spent time in the American Hockey League, as well as overseas in Sweden, Germany and most recently in the Elite Ice Hockey League.
The 31-year-old Petgrave, who is Canadian, has played with the Sheffield Steelers for two seasons, according to the NHL.
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