Thomas skips White House visit

U.S. President Barack Obama honoured the Boston Bruins for their 2011 Stanley Cup championship and charitable work off the ice on Monday afternoon, welcoming the entire team to the White House.

The Bruins' Conn Smythe-winning goaltender, Tim Thomas, however, was not in attendance.

A native of Flint, Michigan, the 37-year-old Thomas chose not to attend the ceremony.

"Everybody has their own opinions and political beliefs and he chose not to join us," Bruins president Cam Neely told ESPN.

Thomas, who represented the U.S. in two world champsionships as well as during the 2010 Winter Games, made a statement explaining his reasons for skipping the team's White House visit via his Facebook page Monday evening.

"I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People", said Thomas. "This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.

"Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country", continued Thomas. "This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL."

Thomas spoke to the Bruins' general manager, Peter Chiarelli, several times about not attending the White House, according to the Boston Globe. Chiarelli told the Globe that Thomas will not be suspended for his decision.

The Bruins won their first Stanley Cup title in 39 years last June when they beat the Vancouver Canucks in seven games.

It was the latest in a string of Boston professional sports championships in recent years, including the Celtics in 2008, the Red Sox in 2007 and the New England Patriots in 2005. The Patriots face the New York Giants in next month's Super Bowl.

"The Bruins, the Sox, the Celtics, now the Patriots. Enough already, Boston,'' Obama joked during the ceremony.

The White House said the Boston Bruins Foundation has donated more than US$7 million to charities in New England.