The Current P.K. Subban on the Canada/US heated hockey rivalry
Feb 5, 2026
P.K. Subban, former NHL defenseman and hockey personality who helped produce the CBC special Rivals: The Four Nations Face-Off, talks about the tournament’s high-stakes intensity and surprising on-ice fights. He recalls the Bell Centre electricity, the anthem booing and the intersection of politics and patriotism. He also discusses his media role, representation in hockey, and staying true to himself.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Instant Fury On Opening Faceoff
- P.K. Subban recalls three fights in the first nine seconds as a sign of how intense the Four Nations opener felt.
- He describes the tournament atmosphere in Montreal as electric and deeply meaningful for players and fans alike.
Politics Turned A Tournament Into A Global Event
- P.K. Subban says political involvement (Trudeau, Trump) amplified the tournament beyond sport.
- He notes Trump's call to Team USA propelled media attention and global viewership.
Bell Centre's Unmatched Electricity
- Subban describes the Bell Centre's noise and energy as unmatched, saying he still hasn't heard louder crowds.
- He credits his French-language childhood viewing for understanding and feeding off that atmosphere.