Media Credit: S. Babineau/Getty Images: The Bruins were honored by President Barack Obama today at the White House

On Monday, the Boston Bruins were honored by President Barack Obama at the White House for their Stanley Cup victory over the Vancouver Canucks last June; with one notable exception: last year’s Vezina Trophy winner and Playoff MVP Tim Thomas.

Thomas, who is a registered Republican — after all he listed that he would like to have dinner with Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck in the Bruins’ media guide this season — skipped out on the ceremony and caused quite a stir with mixed reactions on Facebook and Twitter. It is assumed that the 37-year-old netminder skipped out for political reasons, but Thomas will confirm his reasoning on his Facebook page at 6 p.m. tonight

Thomas is certainly entitled to his own political opinion and can express free speech like any other American. After all, GM Peter Chiarelli admitted that attendance wasn’t mandatory for Monday’s event.

While Thomas’ decision to not attend the event is his right, his actions, however, overshadowed a moment in which the team was being honored for last year’s achievements.

Regardless of Thomas’ political views, however, the 37-year-old netminder can easily be forgiven (to those who don’t agree with his actions in The Hub of Hockey) if he helps his team capture Lord’s Stanley again and returns to the White House next winter. After all, there’s also an election coming up in November; and a possibility of a new Commander in Chief in 2013.

Update:

Thomas has released an official statement on his Facebook page on why he skipped today’s event. Here’s Thomas’ statement (that can also be viewed by clicking here)

“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 of the Federal government.

Because I believe this, today I executed 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 a choice that I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.

This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT”