In Hibbing, Minn., he was just 'Adam': Memories of Adam Johnson, a local hockey hero gone too soon
Michael Russo
Nov 7, 2023
HIBBING, Minn. In a small, hard-working town of 16,000 in Minnesotas Iron Range, where there are streets named after Bob Dylan and theres a sense of pride at having also produced MLB legend Roger Maris and Basketball Hall of Famer Kevin McHale, there is and was only one Adam.
If you said the name Adam in Hibbing, everybody knew that meant Adam Johnson, said Scott Pionk, the father of Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk and Wild draft pick and University of Minnesota-Duluth freshman Aaron Pionk. Like LeBron, he needed only one name: Adam.
Jim Perunovich, the father of St. Louis Blues defenseman Scott Perunovich, agreed: Cher. Bono. Everyone knows who Adam is.
https://theathletic.com/5038325/2023/11/07/adam-johnson-hockey-celebration-of-life/
For those of us that watch, played and know this game........ this is really a good article about a tragic and truly a sad moment for the game and for some of us that grew up in this region, because hockey is Minnesota.
It is really great know that T. J Oshie and his partners at the Warroad company have the shirt to protect the players neck and other gear which they are making this game safer for the younger players, the NHL players for those that are now thinking about wearing this shirt after this tragic accident, and for those who are coming up in a sport, playing on a rink in the woods or on a frozen lake, or at the Junior High, Middle School, High School, College and NHL level that is in my opinion is one of the greatest sports, based on teamwork skill and the exceptional skill it takes while moving on a frozen plane chasing an object that is 1 inch tall and 3 inches wide and the passion.
To, Adam, and his family and friends ......... .