Thomas call his snub of White House personal
Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas speaks to reporters during NHL All Star hockey media availability in Ottawa, Ontario. (Jan. 27, 2012) Credit: AP
OTTAWA -- Players who are present for the NHL All-Star weekend say there is enough talent here to offset the absences of the sport's two biggest names, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. Among those who hold that opinion is Bruins goalie Tim Thomas, who this week turned absence into a major story.
Thomas, the Cup-winning goalie who skipped the Bruins' White House visit, explained on his Facebook page that he believes the federal government had grown unwieldy. He said it was not partisan, but his decision was seen by some people as a snub of President Obama.
The goalie did not talk about his reasoning during All-Star media day, having vowed on Facebook not to comment publicly, but he could not avoid discussing the fallout. It was a prime topic at an event that is without Crosby, who still is trying to overcome effects of a concussion, and Ovechkin, who chose not to come after he was suspended by the league for having left his feet to deliver a hit.
"I think there are a lot of guys who are going to shine down the road. They have already started to let their stars shine," Thomas said of the players here for the All-Star Game on Sunday.
But that reply came amid several questions about his one-person boycott.
"Everything that I said and did was as an individual, not as a representative of the Boston Bruins," Thomas said. "All it has to do with is me, but it's separate from hockey. That's my personal life, those are my personal views, those are my personal beliefs. It has nothing to do with hockey, it has nothing to do with this All-Star Game.
"I don't think I should address stuff that was made up out of thin air. I would really appreciate it if people would leave my teammates and my family out of it."
Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, who also is captain of one of the two All-Star teams for the game, said Thomas' decision has not affected team chemistry. He made a point of choosing Thomas second, ahead of Penguins star Evgeni Malkin, when sides were chosen Thursday. "I think that was a show of support," Thomas said, "and it was greatly appreciated."
Notes & quotes: John Tortorella, a real take-charge type with the Rangers, on how much coaching he expects to do Sunday: "None. This is the players' deal." . . . John Tavares said he heard that former Islanders teammate Zenon Konopka lobbied Senators teammate Daniel Alfredsson to choose Tavares in the draft, which he did.
