The Washington Capitals will celebrate their Stanley Cup championship from last season at the White House on Monday, but goalie Braden Holtby won’t be among the attendees.
Joining forward Brett Connolly, who said Monday he was turning down the invitation, Holtby said Friday he was “respectfully declining” the invite.
“My family and myself, we believe in a world where humans are treated with respect regardless of your stature, what you’re born into,” said Holtby, a noted LGBTQ rights advocate. “You’re asked to choose what side you’re on, and I think it’s pretty clear what side I’m on.”
Forward Devante Smith-Pelly said even before the Capitals won the title that he would not attend.
Smith-Pelly told Canada’s Postmedia during the Stanley Cup Finals that his decision would be made primarily based on past comments from President Trump.
“The things that he spews are straight-up racist and sexist,” said Smith-Pelly, a Scarborough, Ontario, native who is black. “Some of the things he’s said are pretty gross. I’m not too into politics, so I don’t know all his other views, but his rhetoric I definitely don’t agree with. It hasn’t come up here, but I think I already have my mind made up.”
Connolly cited Smith-Pelly, who was waived in February, in his explanation.
“I’ve been in full support of an old teammate that I’m really good friends with and who I agreed with, and a guy who will be back here I’m sure at the end of the year,” said Connolly. “That’s all I’ll say.”