All they had to do was show up, put on a happy face, no matter how manufactured and contrived, and there would be no distraction, no criticism, no controversy.
But as the NHL entered the All-Star break last week, two separate incidents painted separate NHL stars as selfish, spoiled brats.
First, Tim Thomas snubbed the President of the United States and in turn, his Boston teammates, by skipping the Bruins' Stanley Cup celebration at the White House. Then Washington's Alex Ovechkin used the ridiculous excuse that he doesn't deserve to play in the All-Star Game because he's a suspended player.
So, of course, Ovi went to Florida for a little fun in the sun while giving the cold shoulder to the NHL's chief showcase and the passionate hockey fans who deserve to see the best of the best in such an exhibition.
But Ovechkin's, at times, immaturity is not headline-making news.
Thomas' was. The usually media-savvy proud American couldn't stomach standing in the East Room as Barack Obama did what U.S. presidents have done for years -- pay tribute to a champion.
On his Facebook page, Thomas, a fan of former Fox News host Glenn Beck and called a true "Tea Party patriot" by conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart, said this wasn't about "politics or party."
"I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People," Thomas, who accepts $5 million a year to play goal, said. "This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL."
