Nottingham Panthers: Joe Hazeldine wants to put 'smiles back on faces' on his return
- Published
Joe Hazeldine was born in Nottingham and supported the Panthers as a youngster
Defenceman Joe Hazeldine says he wants to put "smiles back on faces' at Nottingham Panthers after re-joining the club following the death of Adam Johnson.
Johnson, 29, died after his neck was cut by a skate while playing against Sheffield Steelers on 28 October.
Hazeldine is the third player to join up with the Panthers since his death.
"It's a difficult situation for us new guys to come in with what they've been through," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.
"They've been through a real difficult time, when you see the news it's been horrible to follow from a far.
"I did feel somewhat connected, obviously sad about the passing of Adam Johnson but everyone has seemed to turn a corner and we're going to make this a special year for him definitely.
"We just try and give them [the team] a little bit more life and hopefully put smiles back on faces. It's a great group of guys."
The 22-year-old came through the Nottingham junior system before first skating for the Panthers in the 2017-18 season and said of the club "there's no place like home".
"Playing for the club you grew up watching is obviously special. It's been a crazy couple of weeks but I'm happy to be back and I can't wait to get started," he said.
The Panthers' returned to Elite League action in a returned to Elite League action in a 4-2 loss against the Belfast Giants, which came a week after a memorial match with Manchester Storm.
Panthers again lost to Belfast on Friday, with Hazeldine making his first appearance in the 4-3 defeat, before going on to feature in their 3-1 loss against Coventry on Sunday.