The player for the Nottingham Panthers was a part of a deadly incident against the Sheffield Steelers, but his teammates won’t hold their opponent accountable.
Swedish ice hockey player Victor Bjorkung says the Nottingham Panthers players “stand behind” Matt Petgrave after his fatal collision with Adam Johnson. Bjorkung recalled the tragic incident in which he described his account as the “most traumatising thing I have seen in my entire life.”
The incident happened during a Panthers vs. Sheffield Steelers Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) game. The Panthers forward was involved in a collision with Petgrave during the game that left him with a fatal cut on his neck.
Players from both teams surrounded the former NHL player for the Pittsburgh Penguins, preventing him from falling to the ground. The 8,000 fans were asked to vacate the Sheffield Arena as the match was promptly canceled.
The next morning, Johnson’s death was confirmed, and the EIHL fixtures for that day were canceled. Victor Bjorkung, Johnson’s teammate, has decided to speak out against the online abuse directed towards Petgrave after the event.
Bjorkung told Swedish journalist Adam Johansson for Expressen, “What Matt has experienced is unimaginable,” as reported by Nottinghamshire Live. “It’s inhumane how some people behave; I don’t understand it. I’ve texted him to let him know that I support him and how I feel about everything.
“On the contrary, nobody on our team believes it’s his fault. We are in his rear. Our message to him has been that we are a large family and that he can get in touch with us if he needs anything. Although he closed his social media accounts, he sent me texts thanking me for my support. That was pleasant.
Additionally, Bjorkung disclosed his version of events, stating that he had given Johnson the puck prior to the crash.
