A crowdfunding account purporting to belong to U.S. hockey player Matt Petgrave has been launched to help him fight allegations of manslaughter following the death of Adam Johnson.
Petgrave has been on police bail ever since he was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in November 2023 after Johnson’s death the previous month in a Challenge Cup match at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
Nottingham Panthers player Johnson, 29, died after being cut in the neck by the skate of Petgrave, who was playing for Sheffield Steelers.
Petgrave was bailed by South Yorkshire Police after his initial arrest and told to remain in the United Kingdom while the investigation was conducted. That bail has since been extended six times — February 9, April 25, May 14, June 26, September 2 and, most recently, November 11.
He will now be on bail until at least January 20, 2025, by which time it will be almost 15 months since Johnson’s death.
Petgrave has never been named by UK police, but an account claiming to be him on CrowdJustice — an online platform where individuals or groups can appeal for money to fund legal action — has now been launched.
A message posted on the landing page reads: “My name is Matthew Petgrave, and I’ve been a professional ice hockey player for the past seven years.
“On October 28, 2023, I was involved in a tragic accident that resulted in the passing of fellow ice hockey player Adam Johnson.
“There is an ongoing police investigation and the legal process has been long and challenging.
“I am seeking help to cover some of my legal costs whilst I am subject to police bail, as well as additional costs if the matter proceeds to criminal court. Any remaining funds will be donated to initiatives that promote safety in hockey.”
The page, which also says Petgrave has enlisted the services of criminal defence solicitors Burton Copeland, has raised more than £2,200 at the time of writing.
The Athletic has been unable to contact Petgrave to confirm whether the page is genuine and Burton Copeland has been contacted for comment.
The message on the CrowdJustice page also claims that Petgrave is unable to work in the UK while he awaits a resolution to the police investigation.
It reads: “Initially, I had the benefit of insurance cover, but through no fault of my own, this has been halted. Additionally, the time and costs involved in the legal investigation and potential court proceedings are difficult for me to cover on a privately funded basis.
“This is especially challenging because my UK visa has expired, preventing me from working as a professional ice hockey player while I continue to need legal assistance.”
In South Yorkshire Police’s most recent public statement on the case, on November 11, detective chief inspector Benjamin Wood said: “We have been working meticulously to fully understand the unprecedented circumstances in which Adam sadly lost his life.
“This complex investigation into Adam’s death remains ongoing and we are continuing to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service. Our thoughts remain wholeheartedly with Adam’s family at this time.”
(Top photo: Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
