Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman was fined $4,250 by the NHL for gesturing the middle finger to Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane. The NHL has been rocked by the incident during Tuesday night's game between the Wild and the Oilers. While the incident itself caused a stir, it was the reaction of Kane's ex-wife, Anna Kane, that garnered significant attention.
Anna Kane has previously accused Evander Kane of physical and sexual abuse, as well as betting on NHL games. She took to Instagram to show her support for Hartman's actions. She contributed $200 towards Hartman's fine, writing, "Fine," with emojis, and her Instagram story read, "Stay blessed," with a white heart emoji.
While some may view Hartman's gesture as unprofessional or unsportsmanlike, many fans have rallied behind him and Anna Kane's contribution to the fine. Kane's troubled past and ongoing legal battles have made him a polarizing figure in the NHL. Some fans and fellow players are calling for his suspension or expulsion from the league.
The incident also highlights the complex relationship between personal and professional behavior in the world of sports. While the NHL has strict guidelines for on-ice conduct, players' off-ice behavior can also have significant consequences for their careers and reputations.
In Kane's case, his legal troubles and controversial past have brought unwanted attention to the league and put his future in question.
Hartman's gesture, though not mature, has become a symbol of frustration for many fans who are tired of seeing players with questionable off-ice behavior continue to play in the league. Kane's ex-wife's contribution to the fine also speaks to the larger conversation around the treatment of women in sports and the role of athletes in standing up against abuse.
It remains to be seen what the long-term implications of this incident will be for Kane and the NHL as a whole. However, one thing is clear: the conversation around personal and professional conduct in sports is far from over.
Evander Kane's ex-wife accused him of gambling on games
In August 2021, Anna Kane, the ex-wife of NHL player Evander Kane, accused him on Instagram of betting on and even "throwing" NHL games to win money.
However, Evander Kane strongly denied these allegations on Twitter, stating that he has never gambled or bet on hockey games and has never thrown a game. He also expressed his commitment to cooperating fully with the NHL's investigation. The incident stirred major controversy and threatened to harm Kane's reputation as a player.