Bruins source blasts 'selfish' Thomas

“[Expletive] selfish [expletive],’’ one Bruins source told the Boston Globe in describing Tim Thomas.

Two days after his controversial decision to skip a team event, the backlash facing goaltender Thomas continues to mount.

U.S. political commentator Keith Olbermann named Thomas as his "Worst Person in the World" on Jan. 24.

The Boston Bruins' Conn Smythe Trophy-winning goaltender boycotted the team’s visit to the White House on Monday. The 2011 Stanley Cup champions were welcomed by U.S. President Barack Obama, who congratulated them on their title and celebrated the franchise’s charity work.

A native of Flint, Michigan, the 37-year-old Thomas elected not to attend the ceremony and explained his decision later that day via a Facebook message. Thomas has declined further comment to the media.

"I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People,” Thomas wrote in his statement. "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,” he continued. "This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL."

Although Thomas has not addressed the media since and did not play Tuesday night during the Bruins’ 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals, several columnists have criticized the American netminder’s actions.

On Wednesday, the Globe reported that members of the Bruins organization from owner Jeremy Jacobs down to the players had known for months that Thomas was planning to skip the team’s date at White House.

“It is what it is,’’ Bruins winger Milan Lucic told the Globe. “I don’t think it really matters what I think about it. I still enjoyed the day and took part in the opportunity.

“I know the other guys that were there had a lot of fun. It’s something that I, personally, will remember for the rest of my life.’’

Team president Cam Neely said that the Bruins were disappointed in Thomas’s absence and explained that the goalie’s views do not reflect those of the Jacobs family or the Boston organization.

Journalist Fluto Shinzawa’s Globe piece, which cites two unnamed “team sources,” paints Thomas as “a solitary me-against-the-world figure who often puts himself in front of the team” and a man with few friends in the dressing room.

Thomas will be attending this weekend's NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa.