Winnipeg Jets fans don’t like Corey Perry. In fact, they dislike him so much that a GoFundMe page was set up to help Jets defenceman Ben Chiarot pay the fine he was recently assessed for butt-ending the Anaheim Ducks forward.
The page was created by a Jets fan named Kyle Klatt, whose goal was to raise $3,764—Chiarot’s fine was $3,763.44, the maximum allowable under the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement—and as of Tuesday evening 159 people had contributed a total of $4,315.
“Often when something like this happens and there’s a fine (for doing something) against a player like Corey Perry or (Boston Bruins forward) Brad Marchand or other players in the league who have a reputation, you see fans say ‘I’d gladly chip in to pay off the guy’s fine,’” Klatt told Glen Dawkins of the Winnipeg Sun prior to hitting his target. “Realistically, I don’t see how I’m going to be able to collect that money and give it to Ben Chiarot. So I thought why not use that as a way of people showing their support for Ben Chiarot and put money towards a worthwhile cause at this time of year.”
Klatt will be donating the money to Christmas Cheer Board Winnipeg, a charity that assists individuals and families needing help during the holiday season.
“I’m not surprised Manitobans stepped up because they always do. I was surprised at how quickly word spread and how people from outside Manitoba have jumped in to help,” Klatt told Scott Billeck of Pro Hockey Talk Tuesday. “I guess I am a bit proud the idea turned out the way it did. I feel like I’ve been getting more praise than I deserve though. I would like the word to get out about this campaign so we can raise a bunch of money but also so others in different markets may use the same idea to raise money for other worthwhile causes.”
[relatedlinks]
