Both Subbans - P.K. and Jordan - took to social media to call out the actions of Jacob Panetta, who has been suspended indefinitely by the ECHL and was released by his club, the Jacksonville Icemen. (Panetta issued an apology and explanation on his social channels).
The Subbans have a large platform as professional athletes to call out such incidents. However, that is not the case for everyone.
"The unfortunate thing is how many kids deal with this every day, and it doesn't come to light," P.K. said. "Without that following, without that platform (that I have), am I standing here now? Is ESPN taking about it? Is everyone outside the world of hockey talking about? Probably not.
"I think about all the other kids and people that deal with this every day, and it doesn't get talked about."
The Subbans and other people of color have dealt with racism their entire lives, sometimes its naked in the open and other times its subtle. But either way, unfortunately, it is a part of their lives.
"I've lived it. I still live it," P.K. said. "Jordan will be fine. That's we always say when things happen. We'll be fine. … On behalf of our family, we don't need pity from anyone. I didn't need it when I was 5 years old. I didn't need it when I was 10 years old. When I played Junior hockey. My brothers didn't need it. My parents didn't need it when they moved to Canada. We don't need anyone's pity. We don't expect anybody to really understand that isn't Black.
"I would love to sit down and be able to explain (racism) to someone that's never experienced it before, but you're not going to understand. You don't know what it feels like. What accounts for that damage? How do you fix that damage when you're embarrassed like my brother was? And the whole world knows. How do you fix that?"
The Devils put out a statement regarding the incident that read: "We stand in support of Jordan, P.K., the Subban family and anyone who has experienced discrimination within our sport. This week's racist acts within the hockey community are unacceptable and have no place in the game or anywhere."
Subban told the media: "What allows me to get up every day and come to the rink with excitement is knowing I have the support of the organization from ownership down, with Josh Harris, David Blitzer. You know the work that they've done and the support that they've given me."
Subban has been highly active in the community throughout his NHL career, including launching the P.K. Subban Foundation to "create positive change through building a community of people who are passionate about helping children around the globe," according to the official website, and the Blueline Buddies program that unites police officers and community youths.
Subban has dedicated his life to being part of the solution. But the disheartening truth is that although society has come a long way, it still has a long way to go, and it's up to us to push those changes we want to see in our society.
"I'm just sick and tired of it. It's 2022. Like, come on. We're better than this. On the bright side, I think we're moving in the right direction," he said. "People have to start with their friends and family. That's where it comes from."
Subban is a leading voice on inclusion for the game of hockey and is working with the league and other individuals on future projects to help the sport continue to make progress.
"I try to set examples," he said. "When I see something that's wrong, I have an accountability to call it out, just like everybody else does. I've been in situations where thing have happened, that people have seen it and don't call it out. And that's how systematic racism continues.
"All I put on everybody is to do the right thing. And I think we know what's right from wrong."
