Family, friends remember Adam Johnson in Hibbing, Minn., memorial (2024)

Adam Johnson’s family and friends spoke of his sharp banter, genuine personality and infectious, mischievous smile Monday as they honored his life in a memorial service in his hometown of Hibbing, Minn.

An estimated crowd of 3,000 inside Hibbing Memorial Arena stood for an ovation after Johnson’s fiancée, Ryan Wolfe, read a letter she wrote to him.

“You’re such a special person. You had the best sense of humor, the biggest heart, the quickest wit and the kindest soul. You’re unbelievably loyal, dedicated and smart,” she said. “I’m so lucky to have loved you and been unconditionally loved by you.”

Monday’s memorial came nine days after Johnson, a former NHL forward and player for the Nottingham Panthers in England, died after what his team called a “freak accident” in a game in Britain’s top hockey league. Johnson, 29, sustained a serious cut to the neck from a skate during an on-ice collision.

In Hibbing, attendees ranged from family to hometown friends, including members of the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues. Jake Doherty, a friend and Hibbing/Chisholm High teammate, said Johnson “always will be our hometown hero.”

“I can’t fathom what life is going to be like moving forward without Adam,” Doherty said. “He will be missed immensely by many. I can only hope that the many memories we have with Adam will carry us through and help us heal in time. You will never be forgotten, Adam. I would like to say, for any young hockey players that are in the crowd today, that you strive to be like Adam. Work hard, be a good teammate, be humble and be proud of where you came from.”

Johnson’s sister-in-law and childhood friend, Ebony Johnson, spoke about Johnson’s special relationship with her son and daughter.

“Adam never hesitated to put everyone else before himself, and that includes his niece and nephew,” she said. “He was gentle, funny and playful, but also protective, wise and understanding.”

Hibbing/Chisholm will retire Johnson’s No. 7 on Dec. 5 before its home opener.

“Adam was so much more than a hockey player or the jersey numbers you’re all seeing lately. Adam had a way about him that impacted people. He made friends easily and maintained a large number of friends even as he was across the world,” Michael Pechnovnik, Johnson’s cousin and high school teammate, said. “If you were lucky enough to hold a friendship with Adam, there’s something different about it. His friendships were authentic and very genuine.”

The memorial closed with AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long,” an homage to Johnson’s youth. At 13 years old, he saved up to buy a deep ocean blue guitar to learn how to play.

Johnson, who played two seasons for the University of Minnesota Duluth, reached the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring a goal and three assists in 13 games over parts of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.

He joined the Nottingham Panthers this summer to play in the Elite Ice Hockey League, which has 10 franchises including teams in Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England.

The English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) made neck guards/protectors a mandatory piece of equipment for “players at all levels across English Ice Hockey” in the wake of Johnson’s death. The mandate will take effect Jan. 1, 2024, but does not include the EIHL, where the Panthers play.

South Yorkshire Police — the force taking charge of the investigation into Johnson’s death — said its inquiry “remains ongoing” and will likely “take some time.” On Friday, the police inquest adjourned until Januarywith the investigation “not yet complete.”

(Photo: Michael Russo / The Athletic)