Belleville native Jacob Panetta has rejoined the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL following completion of a learning experience in conjunction with the NHL’s player inclusion committee.
The 26-year-old Panetta had been suspended for the rest of the season after he was accused of making monkey gestures in the direction of former Belleville Bull Jordan Subban, who is Black. At the time Panetta said it was not intended to be racist. He called it a He Man gesture he has made in the past to other players who were not Black.
Former icemen teammate and fellow Belleville native, Abbott Girduckis, now with the Hartford Wolfpack of the AHL, says Paneta had a lot of support.
Jacksonville had initially released Panetta, but he was eligible for reinstatement after March 17, pending completion of the learning experience.
Panetta played his first game last Friday night.
