Memorial service for hockey player Adam Johnson held in Hibbing
HIBBING, Minn. — On Monday, Minnesota remembered a hockey player who tragically died after an accident on the ice.
Adam Johnson died last week after an opposing player's skate cut his neck during a game in England. He was playing for the Nottingham Panthers at the time. The game ended early and the arena was cleared after Johnson's injury.
Johnson was from Hibbing and played in college for the University of Minnesota Duluth.
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A funeral service was held Monday afternoon in the Hibbing Memorial Building Arena. The celebration of life was open to the public.
Johnson played parts of two seasons for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL. At UMD, he scored 24 goals, 31 assists, and 55 points. He was also a finalist for Minnesota's Mr. Hockey award in 2013.
After his death, tributes to Johnson poured in from the Minnesota hockey world.
"[His teammates] all loved him," UMD head coach Scott Sandelin said. "It's easy to say that now but they did. He was a fun guy to be around."
U.K. police are investigating Johnson's death. Demand for neck guards at all levels of the sport has increased since the accident.