Adam Johnson (left) died after the blade of Matt Petgrave’s skate slashed his neck (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Vile’ social media trolls are targeting a Black ice hockey player who accidentally killed American athlete Adam Johnson.

Johnson, 29, who played for the British team the Nottingham Panthers, died Sunday after Sheffield Steelers star Matt Petrgrave’s skate cut his throat in a ‘freak accident’.

Petgrave, from Toronto, Canada, crashed into one of Johnson’s teammates during the Saturday match, footage showed.

The collision appeared to throw him off balance and cause him to raise his leg into the air towards the Minnesota native.

There has been no suggestion Petgrave did anything wrong, with police stressing that an investigation into Johnson’s death is ‘normal procedure’.

Yet in ‘sickening’ posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, users accused Petgrave of being a ‘murderer’ before declaring ‘White lives matter’ or ‘Keep hockey white’.

One called the accident ‘anti-white terrorism’ as others used racist language to describe Petgrave.

Fans of Johnson and Petgrave see otherwise, however. Whether at a makeshift shrine for Johnson outside the Panthers’ Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham or online, people are making it clear that abuse against Petgrave is ‘disgusting’.

Speaking at the tribute lined by bouquets of flowers and ’47’ mugs – Johnson’s jersey number – fan Tina Taylor pleaded for the ‘awful trolling’ to stop.

She told The Telegraph: ‘[Petgrave] was absolutely distraught by the death of an opponent but it was a tragic accident and he was not to blame.’

Countless users on X echoed this, with Barnsley local Charlie Harvey saying: ‘The amount of hate and abuse Matt Petgrave is receiving is sickening!

‘A freak accident doesn’t give people the right to give abuse and harassment to any human!’

Footage showed the Nottingham Panthers player during the match before the accident

Samantha, from Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire, added: ‘The hatred and racism being directed at Matt Petgrave is absolutely disgusting.

‘There is no way that what happened with Adam Johnson was done with any intent whatsoever.’

Ian Braisby, a Panthers fan from Birmingham, said on X: ‘I really hope Matt Petgrave is getting the support he needs. Can’t imagine what that poor guy must be going through.’

He was replying to a post sharing a Change.org petition signed by more than 4,600 people calling for the mandated use of neck guards for ice hockey players.

South Yorkshire Police, which was called to the Utilita Arena in Sheffield on the night of the incident, said officers have launched an investigation.

A force spokesperson added: ‘Our officers remain at the scene carrying out inquiries.

Johnson was injured during a match between the Nottingham Panthers and the Sheffield Steelers (Picture: AP)

‘Our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing.

‘We would encourage the public to avoid speculation regarding the incident while we continue our inquiries.’

The Nottingham Panthers, a professional ice hockey club, said in a tribute that the team is ‘truly devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically passed away following a freak accident’.

‘Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player but also a great teammate and an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him. The Club will dearly miss him and will never ever forget him,’ the club’s statement added.

Johnson’s partner Ryan Wolfe reportedly ran into the rink moments after the injury.

In a tribute on Instagram today, she said: ‘My sweet sweet angel. I’ll miss you forever and love you always.’

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‘A freak accident doesn’t give people the right to give abuse and harassment to any human.’