William Nylander of the Toronto Maple Leafs flipped the bird to a TV camera on Sunday, earning a $5,000 fine and a viral reminder of his behavior before playing for Sweden in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Nylander, out with one groin injurysat with other scratched teammates when a TSN camera focused on them during Toronto’s 4-1 home loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Nylander extended his middle finger in front of his face and smiled. The replay quickly circulated on social media.
“Only love for the leaf nation,” he wrote in one hours later Instagram story. “I’m sorry for my moment of frustration today! I didn’t mean to upset anyone. I’m looking forward to being back on the ice and not in the stands.”
The NHL was not so cheerful announce the fine on Monday.
“This serves as a reminder [that] The player code of conduct extends throughout the arena at NHL games and in public gaming situations,” said NHL Senior Vice President of Player Safety George Parros.
Sweden will start playing in the Winter Games on February 11 against host country Italy as NHL players return to Olympic competition for the first time since 2014.
Sweden was the third betting favorite behind the United States and top pick Canada, according to FanDuel.
