Matt Petgrave, involved in play that led to Adam Johnson's death, asks for donations for legal costs

Hockey player Matt Petgrave has called the death of Adam Johnson “a tragic accident” in a public appeal for donations to his legal costs amid a police investigation.

Johnson, who had briefly played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, died after his neck was cut by Petgrave's skate in a collision between the two opponents in a game in Sheffield, England, over a year ago.

Petgrave has raised nearly 10,000 pounds ($12,500) after recently launching a drive on a UK-based crowdfunding site.

A man, whose name has not been released by police, remains under investigation after being arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. South Yorkshire Police have re-bailed the man several times, most recently in early November. No criminal charges have been filed.

“On October 28, 2023, I was involved in a tragic accident that resulted in the passing of fellow ice hockey player Adam Johnson,” Petgrave, who was a defenseman for the Sheffield Steelers, said in a statement on CrowdJustice.

“There is an ongoing police investigation and the legal process has been long and challenging," the 32-year-old Canadian's statement added.

“I am seeking help to cover some of my legal costs whilst I am subject to police bail, as well as additional costs if the matter proceeds to criminal court. Any remaining funds will be donated to initiatives that promote safety in hockey, via a CrowdJustice campaign in-line with their unused funds policy.”

CrowdJustice said it conducts “rigorous checks" before drives can be launched. All funds raised go directly to a designated lawyer's account for that client.

It said: “We can confirm these checks have been completed for the Matthew Petgrave campaign. Raised funds will be sent directly to the instructed lawyers.”

Petgrave's page lists Manchester law firm Burton Copeland, which did not respond to an email and phone call for more information.

Johnson, who was a 29-year-old forward with the Nottingham Panthers, was skating with the puck into Sheffield’s defensive zone. As he pivoted to move inside, Petgrave was skating toward him. Petgrave had another Panthers player in front of him and appears to have made contact. Then, Petgrave’s left skate elevated as the defenseman began to fall and the blade hit Johnson in the neck.

“Initially, I had the benefit of insurance cover, but through no fault of my own, this has been halted,” Petgrave’s statement said. “Additionally, the time and costs involved in the legal investigation and potential court proceedings are difficult for me to cover on a privately funded basis. This is especially challenging because my UK visa has expired, preventing me from working as a professional ice hockey player while I continue to need legal assistance.”

Johnson was living with fiancee Ryan Wolfe and studying at Loughborough Business School.

The UK's Elite Ice Hockey League made neck guards mandatory last Jan. 1, two months after Johnson’s death.

AP hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/hockey

FILE - Flower tributes for Nottingham Panthers player Adam Johnson rest outside the Motorpoint Arena before a memorial ice hockey game between Nottingham Panthers and Manchester Storm in Nottingham, England, Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, File)

Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal with the industry being squeezed by discount chains and other competition.

Public companies are under a lot more scrutiny and if private, the Nordstroms may have more leeway in reviving a department store chain that, like others, has looked to revive lackluster sales for years.

Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, or about $4 billion in all, representing a 42% premium on the company's stock as of March 18, when reports of a potential transaction was reported by the media.

The Nordstroms will also pick up more than $2 billion in debt.

Rivals like Macy's and Kohl's have been pressured by major investors to make huge changes in order to return more profit to shareholders. The traditional department stores are facing competition from giants like Walmart and Target, as well as a host of fast-fashion bands and Amazon.com.

Sales at Nordstrom have essentially flatlined over the past decade or so.

That offer announced Monday tops the previous $23-per-share bid that the Nordstrom family and Mexican retail group, El Puerto de Liverpool, made in September.

The board also plans to authorize a special dividend of up to 25 cents per share, based on Nordstrom’s cash on hand immediately prior to and contingent on the close of the transaction.

The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2025, at which time the company's shares will no longer trade publicly.

Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, with members Erik and Pete Nordstrom, part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recusing themselves from that vote.

Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom family will have a majority ownership stake in the company.

Erik and Pete Nordstrom are the fourth-generation leadership at the Seattle retailer, which was founded in 1901 as a shoe store. Erik is the company’s chief executive and Peter is president.

Nordstrom shares fell about 1% at the opening bell, but they are up 34% this year on rumors of a family takeover.

After opening 23 new stores so far this year, the company now operates a combined 381 Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores in the U.S.

FILE - This is a Nordstrom store in Pittsburgh on Monday, June 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)