A Toronto hockey fan who offended Maple Leafs players Joffrey Lupul and Dion Phaneuf as well as Phaneuf's wife Elisha Cuthbert with a tweet has publicly apologized.

Anthony Adragna drew the ire of the Maple Leafs players — and legal threats from the trio's lawyer — when his inflammatory tweet ran on a live crawl at the bottom of the screen during TSN's NHL trade deadline show on Monday. TSN picked up the tweet because Adragna used the hashtag tradecentre.

My apology to <a href="https://twitter.com/JLupul">@JLupul</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HappyElishas">@HappyElishas</a> and Dion Phaneuf <a href="http://t.co/pKbmOAlMqJ">pic.twitter.com/pKbmOAlMqJ</a> —@AdragnaA21

"On March 2, I posted an inappropriate tweet with the .tradecentre not thinking about the consequences that could occur. The tweet included rude, uncalled for, false and hurtful words about Dion Phaneuf, Joffrey Lupul and Elisha Cuthbert," said a statement posted to Adragna's Twitter account on Friday. "Although this remark was only meant to be seen by a select few, it does not excuse my decision to post this tweet. I now realize that everything I post online is not just for a select few, but in fact, the entire world to see.

"I want to tell Dion, Joffrey, and Elisha how truly sorry I am. I am also sorry for the trouble and hurt this has caused for others."

Added the statement: "I honestly hope that this apology will help make things right."

Cuthbert responded to the apology shortly after it was posted with her own tweet.

"Thank you for your apology and accountability. It's a brave thing to step up and doing so brings change, Dion and I are proud and commend you!"

Thank you for your apology & accountability. It's a brave thing to step up! & doing so brings change, Dion & I are proud and commend you! �� —@HappyElishas

The original offending tweet and the apology emanated from the same Twitter account. Adragna deleted the first tweet on Monday.

TSN's public relations department apologized for airing the tweet on Monday and host James Duthie apologized on air before Tuesday's Maple Leafs game.