Adam Johnson: Man arrested over ice hockey player's death bailed

Nottingham Panthers forward Adam Johnson died in hospital on 28 October

A man who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson has been released on police bail.

The Nottingham Panthers player's neck was injured by a skate during a collision with Sheffield Steelers' Matt Petgrave on 28 October.

The 29-year-old was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

South Yorkshire Police announced the arrest on Tuesday but said on Wednesday the man had been released on bail.

Nottingham Panthers have previously described Johnson's death as a "freak accident".

The death of Johnson, who was from Hibbing, Minnesota in the US, sparked an outpouring of grief across the world.

Speaking to KSTP-TV, a local news station based in Minnesota, the player's aunt Kari Johnson said her nephew had been planning to propose to his partner, Ryan Wolfe.

"We were all really excited because we were really looking forward to their future and he didn't get a chance to ask her, and then this happened," she said.

On Tuesday, Nottingham Panthers posted footage of a tribute created on the ice at Motorpoint Arena for Johnson

Johnson previously played in North America's National Hockey League (NHL), featuring 13 times for Pittsburgh Penguins.

He scored his maiden NHL goal in his home state for the Penguins against the Minnesota Wild in 2019.

He made the move to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the 2020-21 season, before spells with the Ontario Reign and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Johnson played for Augsburger Panther in Germany's DEL before switching to the Nottingham Panthers in August.

He posted 11 points in 12 games in both league and cup fixtures before his death.

The Anaheim Ducks and the Pittsburgh Penguins held a moment of silence for former Penguin forward Adam Johnson

Nottingham Panthers are to return to the ice for the first time since 28 October in a special memorial game against the Manchester Storm on Saturday.

The Panthers will then play their first Elite League game since Johnson's death on 26 November, against Belfast Giants at their Motorpoint Arena home.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson added: "Our investigation continues and we will provide further updates as and when we can."