Source: John Russell / Getty
Yup, we play hockey, too.
The Nashville Predators are en route to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history, and P.K. Subban is one of the biggest reasons they’re vying for the NHL’s highest honor. Subban, one of 70 Black players to ever make it to the NHL ever, had 10 points this post season, with 2 goals and 8 assists. With Subban on the cusp of becoming an even bigger star on the ice, here are five fast facts you’ve gotta know about the 28-year-old defenceman.
He’s From The 6
Source: Steve Babineau / Getty
Subban hails from Toronto, Ontario, the land of cold and long winters. Canadians often learn to skate and play hockey on frozen lakes and ponds, which is how they came to dominate the sport. What baseball is to the U.S., hockey is to Canada. Subban was first discovered during his junior career as part of the Belleville Bulls, but after four years, he was selected in the second round, 43rd overall of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Montreal Canadiens where he finally got in his bag
His Nashville Predators Trade Was A Big Deal
https://twitter.com/davelozo/status/866848422732734464
This tweet pretty much explains it all. Subban was a fixture in Montreal, like most athletes who get a chance to play in the city they grew up in: Like LeBron James to the ‘land. Like Derrick Rose to Chicago. But last summer, in a shocking trade, Subban found himself crossing the border and joining the Nashville Predators. He wanted to win and his big personality just didn’t seem to fit in with the Canadiens. But the Predator fans are eating it up every time the team wins, and Subban celebrates by waving his shirt around his head (like a helicopter).
Hot takes like this didn’t help either:
He Gives Back to His Hometown
Hockey players make bank, too. Back in 2014 the defenseman signed a eight-year deal reportedly worth $72 million. After getting that bag, he decided to pay it forward and donate $10 million to the Montreal Children’s Hospital. The donation will be paid out in installments over seven years, and he even landed an atrium in his name. That massive check has been dubbed “the biggest philanthropic commitment by a sports figure in Canadian history,” according to CBC News.
He Won An Olympic Gold Medal
Source: John Russell / Getty
Subban’s talents were recognized by the league in 2014 when he was chosen to represent Canada at the Winter Olympics in Sochi. With Canada being so prevalent on the hockey tip, the team was stacked with talent and easily came home with the gold medal and the dub.
