The Nottingham Panthers of the Elite Ice Hockey League will retire Adam Johnson’s number 47 jersey later this season.
Johnson tragically passed away after an on-ice incident while playing for the UK-based team last October. The former Pittsburgh Penguins forward was cut across the throat by an errant skateblade in a game against the Sheffield Steelers.
The Panthers plan to hold the number retirement ceremony on December 14 before their game against the Fife Flyers. Johnson’s family is planning to attend.
“We were honored to have Adam in Nottingham and not only was he a great talent on the ice, he was a fantastic person off the ice also,” Panthers CEO Omar Pacha said in a press release. “Adam made an impact on everyone who met him in the short time he was with us and he will forever be in our thoughts.
“We all want Adam’s memory to live on for who he was as a person and what he contributed to the sport of ice hockey. This will be a very special night for all of us as we come together to retire Adam’s number 47 jersey.”
Johnson signed for the Panthers in the EIHL for the 2023–24 season after spending the previous year with the Augsburger Panther in Germany. His death spurred significant discussion about cut-resistant hockey equipment at all levels worldwide.
Since then, the IIHF, USA Hockey, and the American Hockey League have all passed legislation mandating players wear neck protection. Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie has been one of the NHL leaders in the space, wearing a protective turtleneck from his own Warroad brand in games last season.
Nottingham says that they will release future details about Johnson’s number-retirement ceremony at a later date.
