Bruins' Tim Thomas Blames Media For Controversy Over Skipping White House Visit

Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas was the subject of much controversy earlier this week when he refused to meet with President Barack Obama at the White House to celebrate Boston's Stanley Cup championship. But the Conn Smythe Trophy winner isn't shying away from his bold political move -- on the contrary, he lashed out at the media today for blowing the story out of proportion.

"[The controversy] is all media-driven, and it has been from the start," Thomas said at his All-Star media availability. "Everything that I said and did was as an individual. It was not as a representative of the Boston Bruins. All it has to do is with me. But it's separate from hockey. That's my personal life, and those are my personal views."

Thomas was the only active Bruin missing when the team met with Obama on Monday, drawing the ire of politicians on both sides of the aisle. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Sen. Scott Brown have both publicly voiced their displeasure for Thomas' decision.

Thomas, however, insisted that the controversy was a media fabrication.