BEYOND LOCAL: Subban launches a show that showcases the diverse world of hockey

More than a year since his last NHL game retires at the age of 33, In PK Sub pushing himself further off the ice.

Sure, he’s still working out and staying in shape, but the 2013 Norris Trophy-winning defenseman is working now transcend the boundaries of television.

“I never set limits for myself. I would suggest that hockey do the same, Subban said. “I believe there are no limits to what we can do. The game is still very young in terms of how we ship the game and how we do things. I still believe that there is a lot of room for growth.”

This growth is reflected in all hockey media in the United States. There will be a variety of voices, from former women’s star AJ Mleczko and other women in game broadcasts to retired Black players Subban, Kevin Weekes and Anson Carter, who will analyze from the booth or studio.

Subban’s latest research is “PK’s places” Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions hockey show for ESPN puts him at the forefront of a sport eager to embrace and showcase diversity to expand what has long been predominantly white.

“It’s incredible and I think it really shows the commitment to diversity that ESPN, Disney and Omaha and the NHL have to really grow the game and expand the roots,” ESPN executive producer Lindsay Rovegno said. “He’s a natural choice. He’s passionate, he’s energetic, he’s fun. It’s really clear that he wants to expand the game and wants people to see that it has history, but there’s also a really fun element to the sport.”

Subban is having a lot of fun after hanging up his skates, and he’s hoping that comes through on the show, which kicked off Wednesday in the first episode of ESPN+. He is happy with his decision to retire after 13 professional seasons because the right situation didn’t materialize to continue with the Stanley Cup.

“When I didn’t have an opportunity to play on a team that I thought was a good fit, it was a no-brainer for me to go the other way,” Subban said. “I played the game giving 150% every shift…I have the same passion I had on the ice to bring it to the media.”

Subban looks to Super Bowl champion morning show personality Michael Strahan to create the second phase of his career and gets advice from the former New York Giants defensive lineman on how to follow in his footsteps. Hockey also has two prominent former players who are black: Weekes, who is with ESPN, and Carter, who is an analyst for Turner Sports.

Riffing with Manning and interviewing Ray Bourque about winning the Cup and celebrating in Boston takes Subban outside the analyst world and allows him to show the personality that made him an NHL star from Montreal to Nashville to New Jersey for more than one year. decade.

“He brings a fresh perspective,” said Rovegno, who has worked with the “Places” franchise since its inception. “Not only does he bring his experience on the ice and share anecdotes from his time as a player, but he really connects with the legends and is able to dive into history and share the passion he has for the game.”

Subban signed with Omaha and ESPN before retiring, and this show could be just the beginning for him. Maybe a hockey version of Peyton and Eli’s “ManningCast” with brothers Malcolm and Jordan could be in store.

“Maybe we’ll consider it,” Subban said. “It would be hugely important for hockey to be able to do things that maybe mimic the ‘ManningCast’ or whatever else is broadcast in the sports world.”

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Stephen Whyno, Associated Press