Belleville native Andrew Shaw has come to the defense of his cousin Jacob Panetta.
A two time Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks, Shaw posted a message on Twitter defending Panetta who was cut by the Jacksonville Icemen after being suspended indefinitely by the ECHL for a perceived racial gesture toward South Carolina defenceman Jordan Subban during a game against South Carolina on Saturday night.
In his Tweet Shaw says Panetta is being judged in the media for an incident that was misinterpreted. He adds “Yes it looks bad but there is evidence that he’s done the tough guy pose in a few other games to players of non-colour.”
Shaw says he believes Panetta when he says there was no intent to be racist with his gesture.
Panetta says his actions were not racially motivated but apologized for the pain, suffering and anger his actions caused Subban, his family and everyone who was hurt by it.
The ECHL is conducting an investigation into the incident.
