On Saturday night, the University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey program honored Hibbing native and Bulldog alumni Adam Johnson’s memory during their conference matchup against Western Michigan.

On October 28th, 2023, the Northland was rocked after Johnson’s life was cut short during a Nottingham panthers’ game in Sheffield, England.

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A year since his passing, those who were touched by Johnson are finding ways to honor his life and legacy.

Johnson played for the Bulldogs for two seasons, helping lead the team to a Frozen Four appearance and runner-up finish in his sophomore year.

Johnson’s former teammates and supporters from many stages of his career organized the memorial night– including Karen Pionk, mother of former bulldog and Winnipeg Jets defensemen Neal Pionk – who not only skated alongside Johnson but was a close friend.

“He was that kid that, when our son Neal and Adam were both here (UMD) their freshman year, I would invite them over to our house with the others, their roommates and such to have dinner. He really truly was one of the brothers to the rest of our boys in the house,” said Pionk.

Adam Johnson’s memory not only lives on in those who knew him, but those who his legacy has and will continue to touch through the Adam Johnson Memorial Fund.

“It’s a great way for people to feel and stay connected with Adam. Also, by raising money for his fund and putting money towards what he would have loved to have done,” said Mindy Nuhring, executive director of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. “The fund has had so many donations from literally all over the world. And I just think it is a way for people to do that and stay connected to him.”

Established through the Grand Rapids Community Foundation in 2024, the Adam Johnson Memorial Fund creates scholarships for local northland hockey camps and will provide an academic scholarship for one Hibbing senior attending UMD in the fall.

“At one point in time during our committee we were talking about it and I just said, ‘what’s our goal?’ and we all short our shoulders and we weren’t quite sure and I said, we want to do as fast as we can because we all here love Adam and want to make sure that other kids, young kids in the area that want to go to hockey camps have the ability to do the hunt and also that opportunity to create a memorial scholarship in Adam’s name through the fund as well for a Hibbing student to go to UMD,” said Pionk.

And no matter what side of the puck, Saturday night, Adam Johnson’s memory touched the hearts of all cheering in the stands.

Click here to donate to the Adam Johnson Memorial Fund.