Wild's Hartman suspended 3 games for throwing stick

Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman will sit three games for unsportsmanlike conduct, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Monday.

Hartman threw his stick in the direction of an official at the end of Saturday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Jonathan Marchessault had just scored into the Wild's empty net in overtime.

Hartman was on his way to the dressing room but returned to the bench to launch his stick.

The league found that Hartman's actions were "intentional, deliberate, and solely due to frustration," adding that the veteran also "verbally (berated) the officials in an inappropriate manner."

Hartman posited that he wasn't trying to hurt anyone, but he acknowledged that his actions were unprofessional, per the Department of Player Safety.

The 29-year-old was apparently upset over a missed high-stick call late in the game.

Hartman has been suspended three other times in his 10-year NHL career: one game in 2018 for a check to the head, one game in 2023 for interference, and two games in 2023 for tripping.

He has recorded 19 goals and 23 assists in 68 games this season.