WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — A former member of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins has died after a tragic accident on the ice overseas.
Adam Johnson, 29, played with the team for three seasons between 2017 and 2020.
He was "a testament to what hard work and dedication can do for somebody on the ice," said Brian Coe, senior vice president of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Adam Johnson died after his neck was cut by a skate blade during a game in England on Saturday.
"The players that are with us now have not played with Adam, so they don't really know him. But a lot of the staff does," Coe said.
Those who do recall him remember him fondly.
"A really hard worker on the ice. Speed was his number one skill here. Really handled himself professionally on and off the ice, a kind of quiet guy off the ice, a little reserved, but loved by all of his teammates."
Coe says Johnson will be remembered as a prime example of hard work and dedication.
"A real success story, too. He was never drafted by a National Hockey League team, but worked so hard during his time here in Wilkes-Barre that he eventually got that call to Pittsburgh and ended up playing in the National Hockey League for a few games, scored his only National Hockey League goal in his home state of Minnesota for the Penguins."
Over the weekend, the Hershey Bears paid tribute to the former Penguin with a moment of silence before the game.
The Pens say they will do something similar at their next game on Wednesday at the Mohegan Sun Arena and also find a way to dedicate the rest of the season to their former teammate.