Fiancée of ice hockey star who died being slashed in the neck pays tribute as he's laid to rest

The fiancée of the ice hockey star who died in a 'freak accident' after being slashed in the neck has paid a tribute to the late athlete as he's laid to rest.

Last month (28 October), Nottingham Panthers star Adam Johnson tragically died while playing in a match against the Sheffield Steelers at the Utilita Arena.

Friends and family have since gathered to grieve the untimely loss of the 29-year-old - one of which being his fiancée, Ryan Wolfe.

The fatal injury took place during the derby clash in Sheffield as over 8,000 fans watched from the sidelines, leading the game to be paused in the 35th minute while medics rushed in to tend to Johnson behind the privacy of screens on the ice.

Johnson tried to skate to the sidelines for help after being slashed in the neck, but quickly collapsed soon after and was promptly rushed to the city's Northern General Hospital where he sadly succumbed to his injuries and died.

A couple days after his death (30 October), Wolfe, who hails from Minnesota just like her late fiancée, reposted a photo of Johnson which was originally uploaded by the Augsburger Panther's page with the overlay text that read: "My sweet, sweet angel. I'll miss you forever and love you always."

It has been reported that the young couple became engaged over the summer and lived in England together.

Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images

The body of Johnson has since been laid to rest at a private ceremony over the weekend and was memorialised on Monday afternoon (6 November) with a 'celebration of life' at Memorial Building Arena in his hometown of Hibbing.

Wolfe paid another tribute on social media with the message: "We miss you so much," while his family also published an emotional obituary.

Part of it reads: "Adam loved the outdoors and the simple things in life. He enjoyed yard work, fishing, golfing with buddies, playing in the Iron Ice hockey tournament, projects around the house, reading, following the stock market and listening to his favourite music.

"Adam especially enjoyed his quiet coffee time with his fiancee Ryan, dreaming about their future, and taking in the mornings together. Adam loved to live a slower life and took pleasure in the small, everyday things."

Instagram/@ryanwolfe17

It continued: "Simple pleasures Adam enjoyed were manually grinding his coffee beans, seeing the colours of each sunset, sitting lakeside by a bonfire with a glass of his favourite red wine, and trying out new dinner recipes.

"Adam and Ryan were lucky enough to have had many travels and enjoyed taking in the beauty of the world together.

"From Christmas markets in Germany to pistachio gelato in Italy, Adam found something to love everywhere.

"Adam had a quiet confidence about him and was never boastful. He was never looking to be the centre of attention, but rather he preferred to listen to others and do what he could to make them feel important."

It added: "He was many things to many people, but to those who were lucky enough to be loved by Adam knew he was thoughtful, patient and genuinely authentic.

"He loved his fiancée, family, and friends above all else. His loving and quiet demeanour will be eternally missed."

Instagram/@ryanwolfe17

Johnson's team have also issued a tribute to the player, saying in a statement: "Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player, but also a great teammate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him.

"The club will dearly miss him and will never ever forget him.

"The Panthers would like to send our thoughts and condolences to Adam's family, his partner, and all his friends at this extremely difficult time."

It concluded: "Everyone at the club including players, staff, management, and ownership are heartbroken at the news of Adam's passing."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677