Bruins Goalie Says No to White House Visit

On Monday, Boston Bruins goalie and Flint Native Tim Thomas, decided not to go along with his teammates when they visited President Obama at the White House to celebrate the team's 2011 Stanley Cup title.

Thomas, who posted a 16-9 record and 1.98 goals against average in the playoffs, posted a statement on his Facebook page on his reasoning for not going.

According to ESPN, Thomas said "I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People. 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. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL."

Even though Thomas wasn't there, the President singled out his play as one of the reasons for winning the Stanley Cup. "This Stanley Cup was won by defense as much as by offense," Obama said. "Tim Thomas posted two shutouts in the Stanley Cup Finals and set an all-time record for saves in the postseason and he also earned the honor being only the second American ever to be recognized as the Stanley Cup playoff's MVP."