The backyard rink and the hallway at home is where Jordan Subban and his brothers spent a lot of time playing hockey.
Malcolm, a first round NHL draft pick of the Boston Bruins, played goal since he always wanted to be a goalie. That left Jordan, a 2013 NHL draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks, and P.K., a Norris Trophy-winning defenceman with the Montreal Canadiens, to battle one-on-one.
Jordan, who is playing in the Canucks Young Stars Classic hosted by Penticton, said the hallway walls took abuse, which didn’t please their mother. It was just their thing said Jordan, who never had to repair a wall.
“I’m surprised she didn’t make us,” said Jordan of performing home repairs. “Maybe just paint over it a couple times. Nothing too crazy.”
When asked who won the battles between he and P.K., with a smile, Jordan said it was him. The Subbans have a strong relationship. It’s one Jordan takes advantage of to help him grow as a player.
“I talk to him (P.K.) almost everyday,” he said. “Everyday while I’ve been here.”
Jordan planned on talking to P.K. following a 4-1 loss to the Calgary Flames in the South Okanagan Events Centre on Friday night. Jordan was on the ice for three of four goals.
“I think I started pretty well today and then sort of drifted off,” he said. “I know I have to be a lot better to give my team a better chance of winning.”
The 5-foot-9, 175 pound defenceman for the Belleville Bulls, where he plays with Malcolm, lists retired NHL defenceman Brian Rafalski, Nicklas Lidstrom and Ilya Kovalchuk as his favorite players. Jordan said he talks about Rafalski a lot.
“He is an undersized guy (listed at 5-foot-10, 190 pounds) that played in the NHL for a long time had a successful career.”
Rafalski spent 11 years with the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings, winning the Stanley Cup three times, twice with the Devils.
After two games in the Canucks Young Stars Classic, Jordan is minus-1 with three shots on net. He said the pace of the games is quicker than what he sees in the Ontario Hockey League.
“Real physical, a lot of great players out there,” he said, adding that he faces opponents who have played junior, college and the pro level, including the NHL. “Unfortunately we couldn’t get the win tonight. I think we did some things well. We will be better versus Edmonton.”
This afternoon, the Canucks alumni will face the Penticton Old-Timers at 5 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre, with a meet and greet to follow. The Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets meet at 7:30 p.m. Sunday begins with a Party on the Plaza at 11 a.m.
