HIBBING, Minn. — Adam Johnson was like a lot of kids in Minnesota's north country, where hockey is as much a religion as it is a sport.
The local rink in Hibbing is expected to play host to hundreds, if not thousands as they gather Monday to remember Johnson, a native son who grew up on the range and died Oct. 28 half a world away while playing the game he loved.
Johnson was born in Grand Rapids and soon moved to Hibbing where he captained the Blue Jackets and was a finalist for Minnesota's coveted "Mr. Hockey" award before moving on to play Juniors in the USHL.
"He wasn't a real speaker. He wasn't going to come in the locker room and 'ra ra' and he wasn't going to get on somebody but he led through example," said Johnson's high school coach Mark DeCenzo. "He was the kind of guy who could change a game."
"I'll never forget him as a player, but I appreciate him more as an individual and he was a joy to coach," DeCenzo said as he fought back tears.
Johnson was recruited to skate for the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) Bulldogs before signing with the Pittsburg Penguins. Johnson - a speedy forward - would eventually make "The Show," skating 13 games at the NHL level during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
Professional hockey in the U.S. and Canada shut down during the pandemic, leading Johnson to move his career to Europe, where he played in Sweden, Germany and England. He was skating for the Nottingham Panthers of the EIHL when an opponent's skate blade inflicted a fatal cut on his neck. Johnson was 29 years old.
Hibbing Sports provided a live stream of Monday's memorial service and celebration of life for Adam Johnson at Hibbing Memorial Arena.
His immediate family and friends held a private funeral for Johnson on Sunday. He was honored in ceremonies over the weekend by UMD Bulldogs, the Gophers and his team in Nottingham.
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