Bruins' Thomas skips White House event

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas said Monday he skipped the Boston Bruins' celebratory visit to the White House due to his political beliefs.

Thomas, considered one of the best goalies in the game, was absent when President Barack Obama congratulated the Bruins on their 2010-11 NHL Stanley Cup championship.

Thomas, an avowed political conservative, said in a statement he made the move because of his view the U.S. government has "grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People."

The statement went on, "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."

The goalie didn't single out Obama in his statement, saying the move wasn't "about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country."

Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli told Yahoo! Sports he had tried without success to talk Thomas out of skipping the ceremonial event but said the team would not discipline Thomas.