JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Icemen defenseman Jacob Panetta was suspended indefinitely by the league and released by the club Sunday, accused of making a racist gesture toward the South Carolina Stingrays' Jordan Subban during Saturday night's ECHL hockey game at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
Panetta, a 26-year-old from Belleville, Ontario, is accused of making a monkey gesture at Subban, who is Black, during a fight 23 seconds into overtime. Video shows Panetta appearing to raise his arms toward his side while looking at Subban in the aftermath of the initial scuffle.
The ECHL office announced Sunday just before noon that Panetta is under indefinite suspension, pending a hearing under the league's collective bargaining agreement. The Icemen announced his release Sunday afternoon.
