PK Subban offers skating, suit advice to young players

Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban attends the launch of men's fall suiting for RW & Co., in Toronto, on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)

TORONTO -- When rookies report to the Montreal Canadiens' training camp later this week, they'll be looking to their veteran teammates for all sorts of advice about life in the NHL. Star defenceman P.K. Subban will be there to help in the fashion department.

"Every now and then, a couple of the young guys will ask me: 'Where should I go and get a suit?"' Subban said.

Most NHL players dress up to go to the rink, but Subban has been a longtime standout for his adventurous sense of style, including embracing suits in bolder shades.

He sported a red blazer with black trimmed lapels to this year's NHL Awards, and a yellow suit in 2013 when he took home the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenceman.

"I've always been taught by mom that when I left the house always to look a certain way. Make sure that you were well groomed and well-dressed," the 26-year-old Toronto native said in a recent interview. "I think it's also a way of confidence. You feel confident about yourself when you know that you look good and you know that you look physically appealing.

"Just as much as it's important to take care of your body and work out and stay in good shape, it's also important to dress well."

Prior to the start of a new season, Subban has suited up with his brothers -- fellow NHLers Malcolm and Jordan -- and their father Karl for a collaboration with Canadian retailer RW&Co. The Subbans are the new faces of the men's fall suiting campaign.

The collection features a dozen suits in two fits: the sleek, slim-fitting Miles and the modern, semi-fitted Preston. The line is available in teal, grey, burgundy and neutral shades with prices for full suits ranging from $298 to $448.

"Going into it, I wasn't sure what to expect. But I think my family sort of came through," Subban said of shooting the campaign with his dad and Jordan, a Vancouver Canucks defenceman, and Boston Bruins goalie Malcolm.

"Our (personalities) came out, and I think everything has ended up being a lot better than maybe everybody predicted."

Subban has established a strong presence on social media with nearly a million followers on Twitter and Instagram combined. He has also established a diverse slate of brand partnerships, which Subban said has afforded him another opportunity to "give back" to supporters.

"With social media today, it's unbelievable the opportunity that fans have in terms of being able to connect with their favourite athletes or their favourite musicians or actors or actresses.

"I just try to be out there to give my fans an opportunity to be able to know P.K. not only as a hockey player, but know P.K. as maybe a fashion icon or P.K. the person or whatever else I'm involved in. I want to include them and bring them along for the ride."

Subban would like to design his own line in the future.

"I want to continue to educate myself on fashion icons, on fashion in general, style, really learn more about designers and understand where their concepts come from."