[OttawaFreeper]

Gee, and I remember some players declining the invite as they did not want to rub elbows with Obama or even Clinton. But you can imagine the media’s reaction during those times (probably that good deal different from if a Republican were in the White House instead).

[Buckeye McFrog]

I remember some players declining the invite as they did not want to rub elbows with Obama

then-Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas got beat-up in the media pretty badly for refusing to go meet Obama.