Defenceman Jacob Panetta has rejoined the ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen following the completion of a learning experience in conjunction with the NHL’s player inclusion committee, the team announced on Friday.
Panetta, 26, was suspended for the remainder of the season in January after Jordan Subban, who is Black, accused the minor league defenceman of making “monkey gestures” in his direction.
The incident with Panetta and Subban occurred 23 seconds into overtime during Jacksonville’s 1-0 home victory over South Carolina on Jan. 22. It came in the wake of minor league forward Krystof Hrabik’s 30-game suspension for making a racial gesture during a Jan. 12 AHL game.
Jacksonville eventually released Panetta, but he was eligible for a reduced suspension and reinstatement after March 17, pending completion of the learning experience.
The 26-year-old has appeared in 31 games with 17 points (5 goals, 12 assists) and 35 penalty minutes with the Icemen this season.
