P. K. Subban
P. K. Subban | |
|---|---|
| File:P.K. Subban 2014-10-04.jpg Subban with the Montreal Canadiens in 2014 | |
| Born | May 13, 1989 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Ice hockey defenceman (retired), broadcaster |
| Years active | 2009–2022 (player) |
| Known for | NHL player for Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils; Norris Trophy winner; NHL on ESPN analyst |
Pernell-Karl Sylvester Subban ( ; born May 13, 1989) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. Over the course of 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) spanning from 2009 to 2022, he played for the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, and New Jersey Devils. The Montreal Canadiens selected him 43rd overall in the second round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. In 2013, Subban earned the prestigious Norris Trophy as the NHL’s premier defenceman and shared the title of top-scoring defenceman with Kris Letang that season. In the summer of 2014, he secured an eight-year contract worth $72 million with Montreal, extending through the 2021–22 NHL season. Following the 2015–16 campaign, Subban was traded to the Nashville Predators where he played for three seasons before joining New Jersey in 2019. Currently, he serves as a broadcast analyst for NHL on ESPN.
Junior
Subban’s junior hockey tenure was with the Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). During the 2005–06 season, he tallied 12 points across 52 games. The subsequent year, he elevated his performance to 56 points in 68 contests prior to being drafted by Montreal. In the following season, he accumulated 46 points over 58 games and added another 23 points during playoff action, playing a key role in Belleville’s journey to the J. Ross Robertson Cup Finals where they were defeated in seven games. His final junior year saw him record 76 points in just 56 games, as Belleville advanced to the OHL semi-finals.
Montreal Canadiens (2009–2016)
Shortly after concluding his junior career in May 2009, Subban inked a three-year entry-level contract with Montreal. He began the 2009–10 season with their AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, earning a selection to the 2010 AHL All-Star Game. His first NHL call-up occurred on February 11, 2010, and he notched his initial NHL point—a helper—against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 12.
During Montreal’s first-round playoff series against Washington in April 2010, Subban was recalled and registered his inaugural playoff point. He scored his first NHL postseason goal in the second round facing the Pittsburgh Penguins. In Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Philadelphia, he became only the third rookie defenceman in Canadiens history to record three assists in a single game. Overall, Subban contributed one goal and seven assists over 14 playoff games as Montreal was eliminated by Philadelphia.
Following this elimination, he returned to Hamilton for their Calder Cup playoff run. At season’s conclusion, Subban was honored with the AHL President's Award recognizing his achievements.
On March 20, 2011, Subban made history as the first rookie defenceman for Montreal to score a hat-trick during an emphatic 8–1 victory over Minnesota. In the 2011–12 season, he appeared in all 81 games and compiled seven goals alongside 29 assists for a total of 36 points.
After that season ended, Subban entered restricted free agency and missed four games at the start of the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season while contract negotiations were underway. On January 28, 2013, he finalized a two-year contract worth $5.75 million with Montreal. Despite playing only 42 games due to lockout delays, Subban matched his personal best with 38 points and earned the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenceman over competitors Kris Letang and Ryan Suter. On July 3, he was selected for the NHL first All-Star team.
In the full-length 2013–14 campaign, Subban participated in all 82 contests, registering ten goals and totaling 53 points. During that year’s playoffs, he amassed 14 points across 17 games as Montreal advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals before being ousted by New York.
At season’s end, Subban qualified as a restricted free agent eligible for salary arbitration under NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions due to his age at signing and accrued professional experience. He filed for arbitration prior to July 5; discussions continued through an August hearing wherein Subban requested $8.5 million for one year while Montreal proposed $5.5 million.
The day following arbitration proceedings on August 2, Subban agreed to an eight-year contract valued at $72 million extending through the 2021–22 season—marking it as the highest-paid deal ever for a defenceman at that time and third-highest overall—with a no-trade clause effective July 1, 2016.
On September 15, 2014, Montreal appointed Subban as one of four alternate captains alongside Max Pacioretty, Tomáš Plekanec, and Andrei Markov after deciding not to name a captain following Brian Gionta’s departure.
Nashville Predators (2016–2019)
On June 29, 2016, Subban was traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Shea Weber. During his inaugural season with Nashville, he tallied 10 goals and 30 assists, accumulating 40 points over 66 games. The Predators clinched the last wild card berth in the Western Conference and progressed to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, where they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. Subban contributed 12 points across 22 playoff contests.
On May 2, 2018, Subban earned a nomination for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, honoring leadership and community involvement. The award ultimately went to Daniel and Henrik Sedin.
New Jersey Devils (2019–2022)
Subban was traded to the New Jersey Devils on June 22, 2019, in exchange for Steven Santini, prospect Jérémy Davies, and two second-round draft picks as part of Nashville’s salary cap management. During the season, he faced former teams, including a memorable return to Nashville on December 7, where he received recognition and a standing ovation.
His first year with New Jersey marked a career low with just 18 points in 68 games and a −21 plus–minus rating. Nevertheless, he was once again nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy and won the honor in 2022 for his efforts promoting racial and social justice, supporting youth initiatives, aiding COVID-19 relief efforts, and advancing hockey development programs.
On September 20, 2022, Subban announced his retirement from professional hockey after a career spanning 13 seasons.
International play
Subban represented Canada at the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships held in the Czech Republic. Serving as a seventh defenseman with limited ice time, he helped Canada secure its fourth consecutive gold medal by defeating Sweden in overtime. At the 2009 World Juniors in Ottawa, Subban played a pivotal role, scoring three goals and totaling nine points with a +12 rating, contributing to Canada’s fifth straight gold victory over Sweden. He was selected for the Tournament All-Star team alongside Cody Hodgson and MVP John Tavares.
Due to injury sustained before tournament play, Subban missed the 2012 IIHF World Championship. He joined Team Canada late during the 2013 IIHF World Championship but participated in only one elimination game, which ended in defeat for Canada. On January 7, 2014, Subban was named to Canada’s roster for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi to defend their gold medal from 2010. Canada successfully repeated as champions by beating Sweden 3–0 in the final.
Personal life
Subban’s parents emigrated from the Caribbean to Ontario during the 1970s; his father Karl moved from Jamaica to Sudbury, while his mother Maria relocated from Montserrat to Hamilton. Karl is a retired school principal. Born in Toronto and raised in the Rexdale neighborhood, Subban has four siblings: Nastassia, Natasha, Jordan, and Malcolm. Malcolm is a goaltender who was selected by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft; notably, he earned a win against P.K. during the Vegas Golden Knights' inaugural season (2017–2018). Jordan was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the fourth round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. All three brothers played junior hockey with the Belleville Bulls.
Growing up near NHL players like John Tavares and Steven Stamkos, Subban was raised in Toronto but did not support his hometown team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. On Tout le monde en parle, he expressed that he always aspired to play for Montreal and admired Canadiens legend Jean Béliveau.
In 2018, Subban appeared as the cover athlete for the NHL 19 video game. That same year marked the beginning of his relationship with American skier Lindsey Vonn. They became engaged in August 2019 after Vonn proposed on Christmas Day of that year. Although they publicly ended their relationship in December 2020, they have maintained a friendship.
On October 21, 2020, Subban and Vonn became part of the ownership group for Angel City FC, a Los Angeles-based club launched within the National Women's Soccer League in 2022.
In November 2022, ESPN signed Subban to a three-year deal as a full-time studio analyst and occasional game commentator. Prior to this contract, he had contributed to ESPN’s Stanley Cup playoff coverage and recently covered games during the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
Endorsements
In addition to his collaboration with RW&CO., Subban's marketing firm, P.K.S.S., has established partnerships with prominent companies such as Adidas, Bridgestone, Gatorade, and Air Canada.
Personality and style
Subban is widely known for his energetic, physical style of play coupled with a charismatic demeanor, which some have perceived as overly confident. During an interview with ESPN.com, he acknowledged the heightened scrutiny that came with playing in Montreal but stressed his commitment to ongoing personal growth both on the rink and beyond. His objective is to inspire positivity and make an impact that transcends individual achievements.
Off the ice, Subban stands out for his bold fashion choices, often seen in tailored designer suits and distinctive accessories. This flair has led to his role as a brand ambassador for a suit collection by RW&CO. He was recognized among the top 50 Best Dressed athletes by Sports Illustrated and was featured on their alternate cover in July 2018. In May 2019, he showcased his collaboration with hatmaker Gunner Foxx and custom tailor Sartorialto in GQ Magazine.
Philanthropy
On September 16, 2015, Subban pledged to raise $10 million for the Montreal Children's Hospital by 2022, representing the largest charitable commitment ever made by a Canadian athlete. Following this donation, he took on the role of spokesperson and coordinated the "Winter Wonderland" event alongside Air Canada at the hospital. In recognition of his significant community impact, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division) in 2017 and served as a judge for the Canadian segment of the Google.org Impact Challenge.
After being traded to Nashville, Subban initiated "P.K.'s Blue Line Buddies," a program designed to improve relationships between law enforcement and youth from inner-city areas by offering exclusive experiences at Predators games. He maintained this initiative upon joining the New Jersey Devils, expanding its influence beyond Nashville. In January 2018, Subban appeared on The Daily Show to discuss these charitable activities.
In June 2020, Subban contributed US$50,000 to a GoFundMe campaign supporting Gianna Floyd, daughter of George Floyd.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2005–06 | Belleville Bulls | OHL | 52 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 70 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07 | Belleville Bulls | OHL | 68 | 15 | 41 | 56 | 89 | 15 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 26 | ||
| 2007–08 | Belleville Bulls | OHL | 58 | 8 | 38 | 46 | 100 | 21 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 28 | ||
| 2008–09 | Belleville Bulls | OHL | 56 | 14 | 62 | 76 | 94 | 17 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 22 | ||
| 2009–10 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | 77 | 18 | 35 | 53 | 82 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 6 | ||
| 2009–10 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 6 | ||
| 2010–11 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 77 | 14 | 24 | 38 | 124 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2011–12 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 81 | 7 | 29 | 36 | 119 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 42 | 11 | 27 | 38 | 57 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 31 | ||
| 2013–14 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 82 | 10 | 43 | 53 | 81 | 17 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 24 | ||
| 2014–15 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 82 | 15 | 45 | 60 | 74 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 31 | ||
| 2015–16 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 68 | 6 | 45 | 51 | 75 | |||||||
| 2016–17 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 66 | 10 | 30 | 40 | (44)
(44) (44) (44) (44) (44) (44) (44) (44) (44) (44) (44) (44) (44) (44)||44 |
22 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 29 | ||
| 2017-18 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 82 | 16 | 43 | 59 | 82 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 10 | ||
| 2018-19 | Nashville Predators | NHL | 63 | 9 | 22 | 31 | 60 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2019-20 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 68 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 79 | |||||||
| 2020-21 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 44 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 26 | |||||||
| 2021-22 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 77 | 5 | 17 | 22 | 82 | |||||||
| NHL totals | 834 | 115 | 352 | 467 | 905 | 96 | 18 | 44 | 62 | 133 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Tournament | Placement | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 World U-17 Hockey Challenge | Canada Ontario | World U17 Hockey Challenge (U17) | 5th place | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships | Canada men's national junior ice hockey team | IIHF World U20 Championship (WJC) | Gold | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships | Canada | WJC | Gold | 6 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 6 | |
| 2013 IIHF World Championship | Canada men's national ice hockey team | IIHF World Championship (WC) | 5th place | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ice hockey at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament | Canada | 2014 Winter Olympics (OG) | Gold | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Junior totals | 18 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 8 | ||||
| Senior totals | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||
Awards and honours
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| OHL | ||
| First All-Star Team | 2009 | |
| AHL | ||
| All-Rookie Team | 2010 | |
| AHL All-Star Game | 2010 | |
| First All-Star Team | 2010 | |
| NHL | ||
| NHL All-Rookie Team | 2011 | |
| James Norris Memorial Trophy | 2013 | |
| NHL First All-Star Team | 2013, 2015 | |
| NHL All-Star Game | 2016, 2017, 2018 | |
| NHL Second All-Star Team | 2018 | |
| EA Sports NHL cover athlete | 2019 | |
| King Clancy Memorial Trophy | 2022 | |
| International | ||
| WJC All-Star Team | 2009 | |