Following a post-mortem examination confirming his death was due to a neck injury, South Yorkshire Police arrested a suspect on suspicion of manslaughter.
Johnson, 29, originally from Minnesota, USA, had a distinguished career, including playing in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins and in various other leagues in Sweden, Germany, and the American Hockey League.
His death has significantly impacted communities and ice hockey fans globally. The incident has sparked discussions about player safety, leading to calls for the compulsory use of neck guards in the sport.
While the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League has not made neck guards mandatory, they strongly encourage their use. The English Ice Hockey Association plans to require neck guards from 2024. Johnson's death is described as a "freak accident" by his team.