Belfast Giants coach says return to action helping healing process after Adam Johnson's tragic death

Belfast Giants and Guildford Blames had a wreath laying ceremony in honour of Nottingham's Adam Johnson when they returned to action at the SSE Arena last Saturday

Belfast Giants coach Adam Keefe believes getting back to playing games has helped the healing process in the wake of the tragic death of Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson in a game against the Sheffield Steelers almost two weeks ago.

The Giants and seven other Elite League sides returned to the ice last weekend.

"There was just shock and everybody here was feeling for Adam and his family and for Nottingham and Sheffield and everybody that was involved in the tragedy but mainly for Adam and his family and his partner," said Keefe.

"You almost don't want to play because of that.

"And then the alternative is that we sit and dwell on things and I thought it was important for us to get back on the ice and get together so that nobody was dealing with the situation alone.

"We wanted to be together and get through the healing process together," explained Keefe.

Nottingham Panthers players Adam Johnston died on 28 October after his neck was cut by a skate during a game against Sheffield Steelers

Johnson, 29, died after his neck was cut by a skate during the Challenge Cup game on October 28th.

Games were postponed the following day and in midweek but resumed for all clubs expect Nottingham and Sheffield last weekend with heartfelt tributes paid to Johnson.

"Once we got to the game, I know as a player, you're in a safe haven," added the Giants coach.

"You have time away from those thoughts as you get on the ice and do what you love. And I thought once the guys got on the ice that they could kind of put that in perspective and just play, but it doesn't change anything that we certainly feel for Adam and his family.

"These guys are a good group of guys. They're a tight-knit group and we knew that going into that game against Guildford, that we needed to play our game the regular way and not go into it very timid or shy because sometimes that's when injuries happen.

"So we wanted to approach that game like a normal hockey game and I thought the guys did a good job of that.

"I certainly had no idea how that game would play out in terms of the physicality or the intensity levels. Could we ramp it back up after such a shocking tragedy and I think that probably due to the fact that we did get on the ice fairly quickly, that guys were able to kind of get back to where they were.

"Obviously there were some heartfelt tributes to Adam and I thought it was beautifully done. And I said, at the end of the day, with perspective, all of our thoughts go out to Adam, his family, his partner and everybody that was involved in that tragedy. We're just thinking of them."

Not all Giants players wore neck guards

It was noticeable that many, but not all, Belfast Giants players chose to wear neck guards for the games last weekend.

In a statement the Elite League said it "strongly recommended" the use of neck guards but was not going to make it mandatory.

Other organisations like Ice Hockey UK and the English Ice Hockey Association which control the GB National teams and lower leagues have said they will make neck guards mandatory from the start of next year.

Sheffield coroner Tanyka Rawden has called for neck guards to be compulsory in a prevention of future deaths report following Johnson's inquest.

The Elite League, which had earlier ruled out the move, has now said it is working on a full response and has asked its players and coaches not to make any further comment about the issue or about their personal choice whether to wear a neck guard or not.

Sheffield return to action this weekend while Nottingham will host the Adam Johnson Memorial Game at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on 18 November in their return to the ice when they face Manchester Storm in an exhibition game.

The Panthers said they want to honour everything about who Johnson was as a person and a player.

The Giants return to Elite League action on Saturday night with a home game against the Cardiff Devils.