Adam Johnson grew up playing hockey in Hibbing, Minnesota, and was a promising player who went on to play hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and became an assistant captain there.  After college he played professional hockey with the Pittsburg Penguins and was still playing professional hockey when his life was cut short due to a neck injury.  Adam was loved and admired by his family, friends, teammates, and coaches.  His hockey coaches have talked of Adam’s integrity and that he was not only an exceptional teammate, but a truly special person.

In honor of Adam, his loved ones set up the Adam Johnson Memorial Fund at the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation.  The mission of this fund is to honor the life of Adam by continuing to support the passions and interests that Adam valued the most and to keep his legacy alive.   There are plans for an academic scholarship and hockey camp scholarships. Adam’s loved ones hope to continue their efforts and to expand their support of the community.  There will be an annual golf tournament in Hibbing and this fall there will be an Adam Johnson Memorial UMD Men’s Bulldogs Hockey game at 5 o’clock on November 23, 2024.  That night there will be an in-person auction as well as an online auction featuring warm up hockey jerseys worn by the players, items donated by current professional UMD alumni, and more.

You can honor Adam’s legacy of passion, dedication, his love for the game of hockey and help him continue to inspire others by donating to the Adam Johnson Memorial Fund. Donate online at the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation’s website gracf.org, click on Donate and select Adam Johnson Memorial Fund. You can make a bigger difference by setting up a recurring donation online. You can also mail or drop off donations to the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation at 350 NW 1st Avenue, Suite E, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.