Chandrayee Roy Choudhury, Canada: The ECHL acted swiftly on Sunday, suspending defenceman Jacob Panetta indefinitely pending a hearing, for an apparent racist gesture toward opponent and fellow Canadian Jordan Subban of South Carolina Stingrays during Saturday night's game.
Jacksonville Icemen later released Panetta, a 26-year-old from Belleville, Ont., who was in his second season with the team.
Later on Sunday, Panetta posted a video on his Instagram page to apologize and address the situation.
"I want to express to everyone, and especially Jordan, that my actions were not racially motivated at all," he said. "I sincerely apologize for the pain and suffering and anger my actions have caused him, his family, and everyone who is hurt by this.
"However unintentional my actions were, I acknowledge the impact of my gesture and will commit to better understand the impact going forward."
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