LOS ANGELES. A ring of players from both teams in the center of the ice before drops.
This is how the Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks paid tribute to the late Adam Johnson, 29, last night, Swedish time.
The players stood close together as a minute’s silence was held at PPG Paints Arena, where 16,903 spectators were in attendance.
– We have been thinking about him since this happened. He is in our thoughts and in our prayers, commented Pittsburgh team captain Sidney Crosby, who was a teammate of Adam Johnson during the American’s time with the Penguins.
Adam Johnson died after an injury on the ice in a match between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers in the British hockey league EIHL on Saturday after being hit by an opponent’s skate across the neck.
A tragic accident that has upset the hockey world.
Adam Johnson played in the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2018-19 (6 games) and 2019-20 (7 games) seasons.
– I lack words to describe the sadness I feel. It was truly a tragic accident. He was a great guy and I’m proud to have been his coach. It’s an honor, says Penguins coach Mike Sullivan.
After his time in Pittsburgh, Adam Johnson did one season in Malmö, 2020-21.
Before tonight’s NHL meeting between Pittsburgh and Anaheim, the players stood in a ring in the center zone, where every other player was from the home team and every other from the away team.
The audience in the arena stood up during the minute’s silence. The TV cameras caught many fans with tears in their eyes and the players on the ice looked moved by the ceremony.
They hugged each other when the ring was broken and the candle was lit before the first drop in the match, which the Ducks won 4-3.