ECHL player who made apparent racist gesture at Jordan Subban suspended for rest of season

The ECHL suspended defenceman Jacob Panetta for the rest of the season on Thursday after he made an apparent racist gesture toward Jordan Subban, who is Black, during a recent game.

Panetta, 26, was released by his team, the Jacksonville Icemen, on Sunday, less than 24 hours after the incident.

The suspension will cost the Belleville, Ont., native 38 games. In a statement, the ECHL, formerly the East Coast Hockey League, said he could apply for early reinstatement after March 17, pending the completion of a “learning experience in conjunction with the NHL’s player inclusion committee.”

Video of the incident 23 seconds into overtime on