Former Cougar declines to participate in White House visit

WASHINGTON D.C. — Washington Capitals forward and former Prince George Cougar Brett Connolly won’t be joining his teammates when they visit the White House next Monday (Monday 25) to celebrate their first Stanley Cup victory last June.

The Washington Times is reporting Connolly is standing by a decision he made last summer.

“I respectfully decline. That’s about all I’ll say about it,” Connolly told The Athletic in New Jersey. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It’s obviously a big deal and it gains a lot of attention. 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. That’s all I’ll say.”

According to the Washington Times, the player Connolly is referring to is Devante Smith-Pelly, who happens to be black and from Canada.