Adam Johnson's family have spoken out in the wake of someone being arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection to his death.
Minnesota-born Johnson died at the age of 29 last month during a Nottingham Panthers Challenge Cup game against the Sheffield Steelers.
During the match, a Steelers player's skate blade came into contact with Johnson's neck, leaving him with a fatal cut.
Now an unnamed individual has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection to Johnson's untimely passing.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police told The Yorkshire Post: “Detectives have today (Tuesday 14 November) arrested a man on suspicion of manslaughter. He remains in police custody at this time.
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"On Saturday 28 October, Adam, aged 29, was seriously injured during a game between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers and was sadly later pronounced deceased in hospital.
"A post-mortem examination confirmed he died as a result of a fatal neck injury.”
In light of the arrest, Johnson's aunt Kari has spoken out.
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"We're just going to have to let it play out and see what happens," she told The Mirror.
"Whatever they'd decided, I would have had to live with it. But I'm just glad they are being diligent with doing what they're supposed to be doing."
The late ice hockey player was laid to rest in his home town of Hibbing last week, where his family paid a moving tribute to him.
They said: "Adam loved the outdoors and the simple things in life.
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"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 fiancée Ryan, dreaming about their future, and taking in the mornings together."
They went on to say that Johnson 'took pleasure in the small, everyday things', and was particularly fond of 'a good deal on Costco steaks'.
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Following Johnson's unexpected passing, The English Ice Hockey Association is mandating all players wear neck guards for on-ice activities starting on December 31.
"It is unacceptable for any player to lose their life while playing sport," it said of its decision.
"Our responsibility is not only to avert the recurrence of such a heart-breaking accident, but also to pre-emptively address other foreseeable incidents in the future."
It added that Johnson's death 'casts a sombre shadow upon our global sporting community'.
Niamh Shackleton