Matt Petgrave signs new contract after his involvement in on-ice tragedy that killed Adam Johnson

In November 2023, Matt Petgrave was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in the death of Adam Johnson, whose neck was cut by a skate during a game that took place the previous October.

The tragic story of Johnsson began when Johnson of the Nottingham Panthers against the Sheffield Steelers was struck by an opponent’s skate blade in the Elite Ice Hockey League game at Sheffield’s home arena in central England on Oct, 28. During the play, Johnson was seen skating with the puck toward the Steelers’ net. Petgrave skated toward Johnson and collided with one of his teammates. Then upon the collision, Petgrave’s left skate kicks up as he fell and the blade hit Johnson in the neck. Johnsson got up on his own and was helped off the ice, his jersey is covered in blood. Johnsson unfortunately died as a result of a fatal neck injury.

Petgrave was later charged and spent 17 months on bail, and had to start a crowdfunding initiative to help him pay for legal costs and fight against the allegations. In April, after a year-long police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service — an organization based in England and Wales that independently prosecutes criminal cases investigated by law enforcement, chose not to press charges against Petgrave, who has since return to the United States.

On Thursday, it was reported that Petgrave is joining the Indy Fuel (ECHL).

He hasn’t played since the October 28, 2023 game where a collision tragically led to Adam Johnson’s passing, when Petgrave was a member of the Steelers.

When the announcement was made, many fans commented in support of his second chance while others denounced Petgrave being back on the ice.

The Fuel released a statement on the signing of Petgrave, posting it on social media:

“We are aware that Matt was involved in a tragic accident two years ago on the ice, where another player lost his life. “No criminal charges were brought against Matt after the accident. After in-depth discussions with him and his previous coaches and teammates, we believe he should be afforded the opportunity to continue his playing career. We understand the responsibility that comes with the great support we receive from this community. We are confident he will be a positive addition to our team and our city.”

“I am thankful to the Fuel organization and the city of Indianapolis for allowing me the opportunity to continue my professional career in the sport I love,” Petgrave also said in a statement.

This is a fresh start for Petgrave. The family of Johnson originally supported Petgrave in the immediate aftermath of what they described as a terrible accident.

Petgrave, who was dealing with the trauma from the incident, but also struggling financially to prove he is innoncent in this freak accident, now gets a second chance playing the sports he loves.