Hockey defenceman Jacob Panetta dropped from minor-league team after 'racist gesture' made towards Jordan Subban
Some readers might find the details in the story disturbing.
Jacksonville Icemen defenceman Jacob Panetta has been dropped from the team after he made what was perceived as a racist gesture towards Jordan Subban of the South Carolina Stingrays.
Subban’s brother, New Jersey Devils defenceman P.K. Subban, did not mince words when calling out Panetta on social media for his behaviour.
When the Icemen posted on Twitter an innocuous description of the beginning of overtime including multiple penalties for both teams during Saturday night's game, Jordan Subban responded with more details.
"More like @Jpanetta12 was too much of a coward to fight me and as soon as I began to turn my back he started making monkey gestures at me so I punched him in the face multiple times and he turtled like the coward he is," Jodan wrote. "There, fixed it."
Jordan's brother responded in kind on Instagram with a video of the incident and ensuing tussle, adding that he heard fans yelling the N-word during the brawl.
"You shouldn’t be so quick to delete your Twitter or your Instagram account," wrote the former Habs star and Norris Trophy winner. "You will probably be able to play again… that’s what history says, but things are changing. now not just the hockey world knows your true colours… your hometown of Belleville knows, your family, and friends know you’re a fraud."
Panetta's Twitter account is now deleted and his Instagram account is private.
The Jacksonville Icemen announced Sunday that Panetta has been released of his position “effective immediately.”
“Our core values as an ownership group include one love and zero tolerance for racism or any other forms of hate against any group whatsoever,” reads a statement posted to Twitter.
An investigation by the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) is currently underway.
Panetta made a statement Sunday evening in a video posted to Twitter, claiming that he’s made the same gesture towards non-racialized players in the past, and that the gesture did not have racial implications.
“I did not contemplate at the time that it would be received by some as a racial gesture, and I attempted to convey this to Jordan when we were sent to the dressing room,” he said.
“I see now, from Jordan’s reaction, that he and others certainly viewed it as a racial gesture and that my actions have caused a great deal of anger and upset to Jordan, his family and countless others,” adding that he apologies for the “suffering my actions have caused.”
TWO CALL-OUTS THIS WEEK
It is the second time this week a player in one of the leagues just below the NHL has called out racist actions on the ice.
Tuscon Roadrunners forward Boko Imama called out San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik for gestures he made during a game. Hrabik has since apologized and is serving a 30-game suspension.
Stingrays president Rob Concannon issued a statement on Sunday.
"The South Carolina Stingrays are disgusted and appalled by last night's incident involving Jordan Subban," he wrote. "Our organization stands in support of our friend and teammate, Jordan, as well as all other players who continue to deal with racism and discrimination. This behaviour has to stop and is unacceptable."
Jacksonville issued a statement saying it would cooperate with the league review.
P.K. Subban said he was impressed at his brother's teammates showing support, and pointed out that fans were yelling the N-word during the fight.
"We all know what’s ok and what’s not," said P.K. Subban. "Even your own teammates wanted to see you get your clock cleaned. This happens a lot and it never gets exposed in the lower leagues."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.