Warning to Adam Johnson fans after ‘fake’ fundraising pages set up in wake of Nottingham Panthers star’s death

ADAM Johnson fans have been warned over “fake” fundraising pages set up in the wake of his death.

The Nottingham Panthers star, 29, died in hospital after he was struck in the neck by an opposition player’s ice skate on Saturday night.

Panthers ImagesAdam Johnson was tragically killed while playing for Nottingham Panthers on Saturday[/caption]

PADevastated fans have left a sea of flowers outside the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham[/caption]

SWNSWritten messages have been left at the makeshift memorial[/caption]

PABut fans have been warned over a fundraising page created following the incident[/caption]

Devastated fans have gathered outside the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham throughout Sunday and Monday to pay their respects.

A sea of flowers, candles and written messages have been laid outside the venue – forming a makeshift memorial.

But the Panthers have warned ice hockey supporters over a “fake” fundraising page that’s been shared widely following Adam’s death.

A club statement released last night said: “It has been a difficult and deeply emotional couple of days for everyone associated with The Nottingham Panthers, Sheffield Steelers and the Elite League.

“We would like to thank everyone for their messages of love and support from far and wide.

“The Nottingham Panthers are in the process of setting up an official GoFundMe page to support Adam Johnson’s family and will have more details on this soon.

“We are aware that an existing fundraising page has been shared widely.

“However, the owner of that page is not known to or affiliated with the club.

“We ask that any fans who wish to donate to Adam’s family exercise caution and await the publication of the official GoFundMe page.”

It comes as Adam’s fiancee Ryan Wolfe is understood to have visited the memorial outside the arena with his teammates on Monday.

She was watching the game on Saturday and rushed to his side following the collision with Sheffield Steelers’ Matt Petgrave.

The couple are said to have become engaged over the summer and were living in England together.

Ryan is believed to now be travelling back to Minnesota to reunite with her family.

It comes as ice hockey fans will hold vigils in both Nottingham and Sheffield on Saturday, gathering at 8pm ahead of a minute’s silence.

The Elite Ice Hockey League has confirmed the Panthers’ next three games have been postponed as players are “still coming to terms with the events of Saturday night”.

A statement added: “The Elite League can confirm that games scheduled for both Tuesday and Wednesday will be postponed.

“Earlier today, the coaches of eight teams consulted with their players about what should happen next.

“These teams expressed their wish to return to playing Elite League fixtures this weekend.

“Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers will not return to the ice this weekend, and we would continue to ask everyone to support these clubs through what is an intensely difficult time.

“All games taking place this weekend will be organised with appropriate and fitting tributes to Adam Johnson.

“Please bear with us, as this needs to be an on-going process to ensure that all tributes have been agreed with those affected most deeply by what has happened.

“The Elite League will give further details of the planned tributes ahead of the weekend, and we hope that fans from around the league will feel able to come together to pay tribute to Adam as part of what is a very sad and difficult process for everyone.”

Facebook/The Nottingham PanthersThe Panthers have told fans to “exercise caution” over the fundraising page[/caption]

AlamyAnaheim Ducks and Pittsburgh Penguins players formed around centre ice to pay tribute to former player Adam on Monday night[/caption]