Ryan Hartman's 'Bird Fund' Reaches Over $30K, All To Be Donated To Children's Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota Wild player Ryan Hartman has received over $30,000 from fans after he was fined by the NHL for flipping off an opposing player earlier this week. Hartman said he'd donate all the funds to Children's Minnesota.
Friday evening, Hartman gave an update to the "bird fund." Fans flooded his Venmo with a total of $30,500. He said he still needs to count direct donations to Children's Minnesota.
He said on Friday morning he would be contributing $4,250 himself.
Official Venmo total $30,500! Still have direct donations to count. Thank you for everyone who participated for a great cause @childrensmn @mnwild
— Ryan Hartman (@RHartzy18) April 16, 2022
The league fined Hartman $4,250 for giving the middle finger to the Edmonton Oilers' Evander Kane after a fight Tuesday. The fight was prompted by Kane's hit on the Wild's young superstar, Kirill Kaprizov.
RELATED: Fans Flood Ryan Hartman's Venmo To Help Pay Fine For Flipping Off Evander Kane
Wild fans clearly disagree with the league's decision. After the fine was announced, Hartman's Venmo was inundated with payments to help cover it.
"I had to turn some notifications off," Hartman said during a Thursday press conference. "It's really taken off, it's awesome."
Hartman stopped taking donations at 7 p.m. on Friday, but he also asked fans to directly donate to Children's Minnesota.