Most hockey fans aren't too fond of Gary Bettman, but New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban sees a lighter side of the NHL commissioner.
"Gary and I have crossed paths many times. I know that his nephews are huge Devils fans. With red carpets and awards shows, I've gotten to interact with Gary more than a lot of players have. And Gary's hilarious, in my opinion," Subban told ESPN's Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski.
He added: "He's got a great personality. It's just tough to show that sometimes when you're the commissioner of a league. I think he does a good job of balancing it, and not taking himself too seriously."
NHL fans boo Bettman during drafts, Stanley Cup presentations, and other various public appearances, though he seems to embrace it by this point.
Bettman was named the league's first commissioner in 1993 and has held the position since. Under his reign, the NHL has grown rapidly across North America, placing several teams in non-traditional hockey markets to varying degrees of success. He's also been at the helm for three work stoppages, including the 2004-05 lockout that canceled the entire season.
"He's obviously a very smart businessman, to have the NHL grow to what it is now. It was very cool to have him on the show," Subban, who's hosting "NHL Hat Trick Trivia," said of Bettman's appearance on the show. "I think he's hilarious. Compared to the other (pro sports) commissioners, I'd rank him really high."
Bettman was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.
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