Hundreds of Panthers fans in Nottingham laid tributes to ice hockey player Adam Johnson ahead of the year anniversary since his death.
The 29-year-old American suffered a fatal neck injury from a skate during a collision with Sheffield Steelers' Matt Petgrave on 28 October 2023. Below a plaque installed in Johnson's memory outside the Motorpoint Arena, fans laid flowers and left messages before the Panthers' 3-1 defeat to Manchester Storm on Sunday.
"Always our number 47", the tributes read. In the hours before the game, fans wore their Johnson number 47 shirts as they made their way to the arena - many carrying flowers.
The mood in Bolero Square was calm and solemn, as fans took the time to pay respects before heading into the arena. Applause for 47 seconds took place ahead of Panthers face-off against the Storm and across all other Elite League games to honour Johnson's memory.
The Sheffield Steelers, who Johnson was playing against when he died, paid their tributes to Johnson in their game against the Cardiff Devils on Saturday. The Nottingham Panthers announced last year that his number 47 jersey would be retired, and that a special ceremony will take place ahead of their Elite League game against Fife Flyers on 14 December.
In tribute before the one-year anniversary, the Panthers said: "Adam, our number 47, was not only an outstanding ice hockey player, but also a great team-mate and an incredible person.
"The club will never ever forget him."