South Yorkshire Police have made a significant development in the investigation into the tragic death of ice hockey player Adam Johnson, as they arrested Sheffield Steelers defenseman Matt Petgrave on suspicion of manslaughter.

The arrest comes after Johnson sustained a fatal injury during a match on October 28th, when another player's skate cut his neck, leading to his death .

The arrest of Petgrave has sparked discussions about the potential legal action he may face, including the possibility of involuntary manslaughter charges and a civil lawsuit.

While it is emphasized that Petgrave did not intend to kill Johnson, the focus is on whether his actions were reckless or negligent, leading to the tragic outcome .

Should Petgrave be found guilty for manslaughter then he could face a prison sentence lasting several years. This would most likely be accompanied with civil lawsuits brought by Johnson's family against Petgrave, his employer, and the league for wrongful death and negligence.

The incident has brought attention to player safety in ice hockey, with increased scrutiny on the use of protective equipment such as neck guards. The English Ice Hockey Association has responded by mandating the use of neck guards for all players in England starting in 2024 .

It is expected that this incident will have further impacts for player safety as well as legal accountability in the context of sports-related fatalities; not exclusively to ice hockey.