Akim Aliu has seen enough.
The former NHLer took to X on Thursday to eviscerate another Black former NHLer, P.K. Subban, after the latter made a post supporting U.S. President Donald Trump.
Subban, who now serves as an NHL analyst for ESPN, shared an image of Trump’s Truth Social post from earlier in the day in which the President said that he would call the U.S. team before the 4 Nations Face-Off final, but also took a shot at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and continued his rhetoric about Canada becoming the “51st State.”
Along with the screenshot, Subban, who won gold playing for Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics, wrote “The Trizzy Train could be coming through soon,” with train and eye emojis. “Stay tuned!”
Aliu, a Nigerian-born Ukrainian Canadian took offence and blasted Subban, calling him “a sell-out of the highest proportions,” among other scathing words.
“I’ve watched you from afar and never said anything for two main reasons. 1, being the respect I have for your brothers and parents & 2 I’ve always wanted to keep the in fighting between folks of color to a minimum,” Aliu began. “This was something I couldn’t let go.”
“I’ve known you since I was ten years old and played with you, so I’d say I know you better than most at a deeper level. You were a hell of a player and instead of using your platform you did everything in your power to gain acceptance and popularity, nothing with you has ever been genuine but transactional and usually for publicity reasons.
“Even during this most sensitive time both politically and socially you take the side of the oppressor because that’s who you make your money from. I would of thought the ‘love’ you have always claimed for your country, a country you represented at the highest levels would shine through to push back on rhetoric of annexation and humiliation of the very land you are born and raised in, but even that doesn’t get you to do the right morally.
“This is the reason why every place you have played — no one liked you and players on the inside have always known who you really are — a sell-out of the highest proportions. You are the perfect example of why people of color haven’t progressed at the highest levels of society. From one man to another, you’re a disgrace and history will judge you accordingly.”
Subban has not publicly responded to Aliu’s comments, but has been active on X – including posting several videos of himself with former American hockey stars Keith Tkachuk and Mike Eruzione.
He was, however, seen celebrating Canada’s game-tying goal and Connor McDavid’s overtime winner with fellow ESPN analyst Mark Messier.
Aliu, who played seven NHL games while also plying his trade in Slovakia, Czechia, Russia, and Sweden over his career, has become an advocate for equality in the sport.
In 2019, Aliu went public with allegations that then-Calgary coach Bill Peters directed racial epithets at him in the locker room while they were with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. As a result, Peters submitted his resignation from the Flames four days later.
Subban played 13 seasons in the NHL, making three all-star teams and winning the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenceman in 2012-13. He played for the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils before hanging up his skates in 2022.
Internationally, he not only won gold at the Sochi Olympics, but also captured world junior championships with Team Canada in 2008 and 2009.