Adam Johnson's Nottingham Panthers teammate Westin Michaud DEFENDS Matt Petgrave amid speculation th

Adam Johnson's Nottingham Panthers teammate Westin Michaud has spoken out in support of Matt Petgrave. 

Johnson, 29, died on the ice in front of 8,000 after his neck was cut by opponent Petgrave's skate following a collision during the Panthers' game against the Sheffield Steelers in England on Saturday. 

The incident has sparked controversy with some speculating whether Petgrave intentionally kicked Johnson. 

But Johnson's teammate, 27-year-old Michaud, has come to Petgrave's defense, speaking out on social media. 

'I need to address something about the accident,' Michaud posted on X. 'We wholeheartedly stand with Matt Petgrave. The hate that Matt is receiving is terrible and completely uncalled for. I was at ice level on the bench closest to the accident, I saw both players moving fast.

Adam Johnson (right) died after his neck was cut by Matt Petgrave's (left) blade 

Johnson's Nottingham Panthers teammate Westin Michaud has defended Petgrave

Michaud took to social media to criticize the abuse and backlash Petgrave has faced 

'The unintentional clip of the Panther player's leg by the Sheffield player caused the somersault. It's clear to me his actions were unintentional and anyone suggesting otherwise is mistaken. Let's come together and not spread unwarranted hate to someone who needs [our] support.'

Michaud's public support of Petgrave comes after former NHL player Sean Avery called the Steelers defenseman a 'dirty player' and claimed he was 'absolutely' trying to make contact with Johnson. 

However, when Fox host Jesse Watters said it looked like 'murder', Avery said: 'That's a pretty dangerous word to be throwing around. I've watched it, it's terrible, it's tough to watch.

'Did this kid make a move that was very unorthodox? Do I think he was trying to make contact of some sort? Absolutely.' 

Avery added: 'Do I think he woke up and said I'm going to murder somebody today? No.'

Former NFL player turned radio presenter, Jermaine Wiggins, also sparked outrage when he suggested that Petgrave intentionally kicked Johnson. 

Discussing the tragic accident on The Greg Hill show last week, Wiggins said: 'I guess the other player, I'm forgetting his name, I'm drawing a blank right now but they've said he had some situations in the past.

'When you look at it - look at it again - he kind of kicks him. It looks like it wasn't an accident.' 

Sheffield Steelers player Petgrave, 31, fatally cut Johnson's throat with his blade in what's been described as a 'freak accident' when they collided during a match in front of 8,000 fans 

Matt Petgrave (file image) crashed into one of Johnson's teammates in a collision which saw him lose balance before his leg lifted up and made contact with Johnson's neck

Adam Johnson in action for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL in Columbus, Ohio, in 2017 

The incident on Saturday happened in the 35th minute of the Elite Ice Hockey League match at Sheffield's Utilita Arena. The game was later abandoned.

Footage showed how Petgrave crashed into one of Johnson's teammates on Saturday in a collision which saw him lose balance before his leg lifted up and made contact with Johnson's neck. 

Following the incident during Saturday's Challenge Cup tie, both the Panthers and the EIHL described the collision as a 'freak accident' but police are investigating Johnson's death and Petgrave has been subject to horrendous taunts and racial abuse. 

Video of the incident showed Johnson getting to his feet, with blood pouring on to the ice. He was helped by a referee and a teammate as he headed off the rink, but collapsed on to the ice. 

He received immediate medical attention, with CPR performed on the ice, and was taken to hospital but could not be saved. 

Petgrave has played in eight different leagues during his career, and has been described by Fox presenters and people online as a 'dirty player.' 

He is currently the Elite Ice Hockey League's most penalized player in the 2022-23 league, according to EuroHockey.

Petgrave has accrued a total of 129 PIM, penalty infraction minutes.

Sean Avery has suggested the kick from Petgrave that killed Johnson was intentional - but he refused to call it a homicide when pressed by Fox host Jesse Watters

Jermaine Wiggins (left) sparked controversy by claiming that hockey player Adam Johnson was intentionally kicked by his opponent in the accident that cost him his life 

And between 2013 to 2017, he was listed as having 328 career penalty minutes, according to VredsHockey.

While playing in the Canadian Hockey League in 2010, Petgrave was suspended for five games 'for an infraction in the third period of last Saturday's 9-4 win over Sarnia.'

And in 2018, he was suspended indefinitely for his behavior in the ECHL in New Jersey.

American Hockey League also suspended Petgrave in 2018, according to their press release at the time: 'Laval Rocket defenseman Matt Petgrave has been suspended for one (1) game as a consequence of a slew-footing incident in a game at Toronto on Mar. 28. 

Toronto-born Petgrave joined the Steelers in summer last year from Czech Republic side HC Dunamo Pardubice, and had also recently played for Slovakian team HIK Spisska Nova Ves.

The 6-foot-1 player studied at the University of New Brunswick where he spent four seasons playing ice hockey, before turning professional in 2017.

He joined East Coast Hockey League side Brampton Beast, based in Ontario, that year and also had spells with Syracuse Crunch, Laval Rocket, Utica Comets, Florida Everblades and Kansas City Mavericks.

Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson and his fiancee Ryan Wolfe at a family wedding in June 2022 

Adam Johnson and Ryan Wolfe, pictured in July 2022, had become engaged over the summer

Steelers head coach Aaron Fox previously described Petgrave as an 'impact player' who can be a 'game changer' and play in 'all positions'.

Last season he was voted onto the Elite Ice Hockey League's all-star team.

Johnson played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons and the team paid tribute to their former player ahead of their game against the Anaheim Ducks Monday night. 

Instead of silence, the Penguins asked the crowd to give a final cheer for Johnson - which was described as 'quite a moment.'

His fiancee Ryan Wolfe has paid tribute on Instagram, posting a picture of him and saying: 'My sweet, sweet angel. I'll miss you forever and love you always.'

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