After giving Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane the middle finger during Tuesday's game, Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman said any fine he received would be "well worth it."
It appears Wild fans agree with that statement.
The NHL fined Hartman $4,250 for unsportsmanlike conduct Wednesday, and fans have been sending him money on Venmo to show their support.
As of Thursday afternoon, Hartman estimated that he garnered over $6,000 in contributions, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo.
"Wow … overwhelmed by the amount of donations I have received to help pay for my fine," Hartman tweeted Thursday. "You fans are amazing."
Hartman added that he'll pay his penalty with his own cash and donate any money he receives by 7 p.m. Friday to a children's hospital system in Minnesota.
The 27-year-old gave the middle finger during the third period of the Wild's 5-1 victory. Kane went after Wild star Kirill Kaprizov, which drew a crowd. Hartman came to his teammate's defense and flipped Kane off as the scrum broke up.
Hartman's mother, Kim, voiced her opinion of her son's actions in hilarious fashion:
I believe this Gesture was out of context . He was letting him know they had one goal 😜
— KimHartman (@MrsHartzy) April 13, 2022
Kim tweeted again Thursday, calling Hartman a "class act."
The Wild and Oilers won't meet again in the regular season.
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