Obama Honors Stanley Cup Champion Bruins At White House
WASHINGTON (CBS/AP) — President Barack Obama honored the Boston Bruins at the White House Monday for their 2011 Stanley Cup championship and their charitable work off the ice.
The Bruins won their first Stanley Cup title in 39 years last June after a bruising seven-game final series against the Vancouver Canucks.
"Together they proved teamwork is everything. They can overcome injuries, overcome long odds. The wise old man of the team summed up the season by saying 'we played together, we drank together…' How much did you guys drink?" Obama joked.
WBZ-TV's Dan Roche reports.
Playoff MVP Tim Thomas was not there, citing political reasons.
Sen. John Kerry and Boston Mayor Tom Menino were among the guests at the ceremony where the Bruins gave the president a jersey with "Obama 11" on it.
It was the latest in a string of Boston professional sports championships in recent years, including the Celtics in 2008, the Red Sox in 2007 and the New England Patriots in 2005.
The Patriots play in next month's Super Bowl.
Obama Gets His Jersey:
At one point, Obama said "the Bruins, the Sox, the Celtics, now the Patriots. Enough already, Boston."
The President even had a little fun with Bruins winger Brad Marchand, giving him a new nickname.
Obama With The Bruins:
"Brad Marchand went into the season playing on the fourth line, but the 'little ball of hate' shrugged off the rookie jitters. What's up with that nickname man?" Obama joked as he looked for Marchand in the crowd.
Obama Has Fun With Marchand:
"I guess if the President of the United States gives you a nickname you have to stick with it," Marchand said after the ceremony.
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