WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The hockey community is reacting to criminal charges filed following the death of a former Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins player.
"If it's an accident than it's unjustified, but if it wasn't and he purposely put his foot up then he's got to serve his time." said Al Federici of West Pittston.
Fans are shocked after learning a man was released on bail Wednesday morning in London after being charged with suspicion of manslaughter in connection to the death of former Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins player Adam Johnson.
Back on October 28th, Johnson was fatally struck by an opponent's skate in the neck during a game in central England.
Newswatch 16 spoke to fans ahead of Wednesday's game versus the Hershey Bears.
"It's not impossible thing to happen, but It's something I think they need to do stuff to avoid in the future. " Said Patrick Doherty of Archbald.
Doherty remembers meeting Johnson back when he played for the Penguins here in 2017. He said this is a huge loss for the hockey community.
"I refuse to watch the video, it's just something I don't want to see. So, I don't know how to judge it". he added.
In light of the tragedy, fans say the addition of neck and wrist protection for players are a welcome site that will only make the game safer.
"It takes one incident for something to spark a fire, and this happened to be it unfortunately. Now the rise of neck guards is coming about, and I think it's good for the league because it offers protection for freak incidents like that.
Newswatch 16's Chelsea Strub spoke with Penguins staff in the days following Johnson's death, you can see that story here: