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
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Security guard shot, critically injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.