A man has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson, according to police reports

A man has been released on bail after his arrest on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson, according to a statement from South Yorkshire Police on Wednesday.

Johnson tragically passed away after suffering a neck injury in a collision with another player during the Nottingham Panthers’ game against the Sheffield Steelers in England on October 28.

A Sheffield coroner’s report determined that the 29-year-old “sustained an incised wound to the neck caused by the skate of another player” and subsequently succumbed to the injury in the hospital.

Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall stated in a police statement on Tuesday that “our investigation was launched immediately following this tragedy, and we have been conducting extensive inquiries ever since to reconstruct the events that led to the loss of Adam in these unprecedented circumstances.”

“We have been consulting with highly specialized experts in their field to assist in our inquiries and continue to collaborate closely with the health and safety department at Sheffield City Council, which is providing support for our ongoing investigation,” stated South Yorkshire Police.

In an update on Wednesday, the police announced that the man arrested in connection with Adam Johnson’s death has been released on bail as the investigation continues.

Following Johnson’s tragic passing, there has been a heightened focus on player safety in ice hockey, particularly regarding the potential for more widespread use of protective neck guards.

“Adam’s death has sent shockwaves through many communities, from our local residents here in Sheffield to ice hockey fans across the world,” said Detective Chief Superintendent Becs Horsfall on Tuesday.

Adam Johnson, originally from Hibbing, Minnesota, began his professional hockey career in the American Hockey League before making his way to the National Hockey League (NHL). He played in 13 NHL games over two years with the Pittsburgh Penguins and also had stints in Sweden and Germany before joining the Nottingham Panthers for the 2023-24 season.

In an online obituary, Johnson’s family fondly remembered him as a “thoughtful, patient, and genuinely authentic” individual who found joy in life’s simple pleasures.

Members of the global ice hockey community, including fans in Nottingham, where Johnson played, have paid tribute to the forward by laying flowers outside the Motorpoint Arena.

South Yorkshire Police noted on Tuesday that they are providing support to Johnson’s family while the investigation into his death continues.