Family said freak accident
NOPE. I don’t think Johnson’s family said that. I can only find quotes from his aunt though.
“It was very reckless,” Kari said of the “horrific tragedy” while speaking from her Minnesota home. “I just
want them [authorities investigating] to get it right. We are looking for justice for Adam.
Kari, who recalled watching the game at home in real-time with Johnson’s parents, said Petgrave’s movement was “totally unnecessary” after she reviewed “hundreds” of replays of the brutal scene.
“We are absolutely calling for a complete investigation,” she said.
“You don’t take your leg and kick somebody and cut their throat. I’m sorry.”
Kari said what she saw was “not hockey” during the controversial play, which took place at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.
“My nephew was 6-feet tall, and whether you lost your balance or not, to have that leg come up that high and do a kicking motion like he did, that is just unacceptable,” she said.
“I think the actions were unnecessary. It was just unnecessary. Nobody touched him. I’ve watched that video hundreds of times.
“That’s not a hockey play, that’s not a check. I understand that every team has an enforcer, per se, on their team.
“I’m sure Mr. Petgrave probably didn’t even think about the consequences could be of that happening, but there comes a time when you have to realize, that’s not hockey.
“And I’m sure he’s going through a lot too, but he took our boy. There are a few of us in the family that think it was a totally unnecessary, very, very bad action to take.”
Kari explained that she will “have to accept” the eventual outcome of the investigation.
“
If they find against what I feel, I will have to accept that. But I’ve felt throughout it’s very, very reckless and unnecessary,” she said.