They don’t call the east coast league the jungle because my brother and the other black players are the monkeys! Hey @jacobpanetta you shouldn’t be so quick delete your Twitter or your Instagram account you will probably be able to play again… that’s what history says but things pic.twitter.com/8zOJ9q47pk
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) January 23, 2022
A racial firestorm erupted in hockey Saturday night and it has a number of local angles to it.
During an ECHL game between the Jacksonville Icemen and the South Carolina Stingrays, a scrum ensued after Jacksonville’s goalie was collided with.
In the scrum that followed, Belleville native Jacob Panetta and former Belleville Bull Jordan Subban were arguing, and it ended up in a heated fight.
Subban said in a post-game tweet that Panetta made monkey gestures towards him.
Subban and one of his teammates fought with Panetta, and extra players even came off the bench.
Numerous national media outlets have discussed the incident.
Jordan Subban’s brother P.K. also tweeted following the game.
Sunday evening, Jacob Panetta made a statement in Twitter where he denied his action was a racial gesture
@jordansubban racism has no place in this world and no place in the game we love. pic.twitter.com/0UVYJQVD1U
— Jacob Panetta (@JPanetta12) January 23, 2022
@jordansubban part 2 pic.twitter.com/BOyHVINu6c
— Jacob Panetta (@JPanetta12) January 23, 2022
The Jacksonville Icemen released the following statement
The ECHL has announced it has suspended Panetta indefinitely, pending an investigation
STATEMENT FROM THE LEAGUE –
The ECHL on Sunday announced that Jacksonville’s Jacob Panetta has been suspended indefinitely pending a hearing under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, as a result of his actions in ECHL Game #474, South Carolina at Jacksonville, on Jan. 22.
Panetta is suspended under Rule #28 – Supplementary Discipline as a result of his actions at 0:23 of overtime.
