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AN ice hockey pro arrested over an opponent’s horror death in a game has launched a crowdfunding appeal to pay his legal costs.

Matthew Petgrave, 32, says he has been trapped without insurance or a visa and unable to work since being held on suspicion of manslaughter.

Adam Johnson bled to death on the ice when his neck was sliced open by a skate following a collision
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Adam Johnson bled to death on the ice when his neck was sliced open by a skate following a collisionCredit: Getty

The Canadian is still on bail over the death of Nottingham PanthersAdam Johnson, who bled to death on the ice when his neck was sliced open by a skate following a collision.

Sheffield Steelers ace Petgrave hopes to raise £300,000 on the online platform CrowdJustice.

He praised team-mates, players, coaches, officials and his family for their support but said: “The legal process has been long and challenging.”

Thousands of fans saw American Adam, 29, fatally injured at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena in October last year.

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While many in the sport have said it was an accident, Petgrave was arrested the following month.

He got a standing ovation at his team’s first home game after the incident — but has endured racial abuse online.

A pro for seven years, he played in elite leagues in Europe before coming to Sheffield.

His appeal stood at more than £9,000 last night.

Matthew Petgrave, 32, has launched a crowdfunding appeal to pay his legal costs over Johnson's death
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Matthew Petgrave, 32, has launched a crowdfunding appeal to pay his legal costs over Johnson's deathCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Adam Johnson’s family speak out as man arrested after ice hockey star’s ‘throat was slashed by Matt Petgrave’s skate’
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