Capitals goalie Braden Holtby says he won’t attend the celebration at the White House on Monday for the 2018 Stanley Cup champions.
Goalie Braden Holtby became the most high-profile member of the Washington Capitals to pull out of Monday’s scheduled visit to the White House in celebration of their 2018 Stanley Cup championship.
“It’s one of those things you have to think about, but for me, I have to stay true to my values. I’m going to respectfully decline the offer,” Holtby said Friday after Capitals practice in Arlington, Virginia.
“It’s a tough situation for everyone, to be forced into making a decision. You’re a team. You want to stick together, no matter what. I hope everyone kind of blows it away — that you don’t worry about who goes and who doesn’t. For me, it’s just a personal thing. I believe in what I believe in. In order to stick to those values, I have to do what I think is right, but that doesn’t make a difference in anyone else’s decision. We stick by every teammate and their decision.”
Holtby was the goalie for all 16 wins in the Capitals’ playoff run, leading the NHL postseason with a 2.16 goals-against average. He said other championship teams having chosen not to attend ceremonies at the White House, or not being invited, has created a climate where athletes have to make these decisions.
“Once the first team doesn’t go, it puts the onus on every other team in professional sports to make a decision, if you’re political or not. Our team is trying to take the most professional way we can. Give every player the right to choose, and stand by each one of us, regardless of what you decide,” he said.
