Professional hockey players who will not be arrested for suspected manslaughter will not file criminal charges after Adam Johnson's death.

The 29-year-old Nottingham Panthers player died of skate injuries during a collision with Sheffield Steelers' Matt Petgrave on October 28, 2023.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it worked with South Yorkshire Police to determine whether any criminal charges should be filed.

"We concluded that there is no realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offense and therefore there will be no prosecution," said Deputy Chief Crown Attorney Michael Quinn.

Mr Quinn added: “It was a shocking and frustrating event.

“The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely to determine whether any criminal charges should be filed against other hockey players involved.

“Our idea is still Adam Johnson’s family and friends.”

He said the police investigation was "thorough" and CPS conducted a "full review of all evidence".

Mr. Petgrave, a Canadian, spent 17 months after being arrested in November 2023.

As the investigation continued, he was recalled seven times by South Yorkshire police.

Mr. Peter Grave denied the allegations and called the incident a “tragic accident”.

The death of Mr. Johnson from Minnesota, USA, has caused grief all over the world.

Mr. Johnson previously played for the North American Hockey League (NHL), playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins 13 times.

He traveled to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in the 2020-21 season and then performed spells in the American Hockey League with Ontario's reign and Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Mr Johnson played for the Augsburger Panther in Germany before switching to the Nottingham Panthers in August 2023.

After his death, the player’s aunt, Kari Johnson, told local Minnesota news station KSTP-TV that her nephew had been planning to propose to his partner Ryan Wolfe.

Ms. Wolf said: "I will always miss you and love you forever."

Ms Johnson added: “We were all very excited because we were really looking forward to their future and he didn’t have the chance to ask her and it happened.”

The Panthers retired from Mr. Johnson's 47 jersey after a ceremony before the December 2024 game against the Fife Flyers.

Mr. Johnson's other aunt, Lynn Degrio, said on behalf of the family at the event that he called him "humble, modest and down-to-earth."

Black Panthers CEO Omar Pacha also spoke at the ceremony and said: "Adam is the top player, but he is a better person."

Mr Pacha described Mr Johnson as “a quiet, active leader, a loyal player, a player that men like, occupying a huge calm in the locker room, adding that he “can’t even imagine what Mr Johnson’s friends and family “feel and still feel”.

The BBC knows that Mr Johnson did not wear a neck guard when the collision occurred.

After the death of Sheffield coroner Tanyka Rawden, reports of future deaths were prevented, requiring the challenge of neck guards in hockey to make it mandatory.

She said she could die in the future without wearing a neck guard.

A few days ago, the British Hockey Association (EIHA) announced that starting from 2024, it will be a must.

However, the UK's top hockey division, the Elite Hockey League (EIHL), - not under the control of EIHA - said it would not force the use of neck guards, but added that it would "strongly encourage" players and officials to wear them after Mr Johnson's death.