Fansided

Washington Capitals: Devante Smith-Pelly Will Take A Stand

By Phyllis Hunter |
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: Devante Smith-Pelly #25 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his first-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Avi Gerver/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: Devante Smith-Pelly #25 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his first-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Avi Gerver/Getty Images)

Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly will not be visiting the White House

Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly has made it pretty clear that he will not shy away from a tussle on the ice. It appears he is just as willing to stand up for his beliefs off the ice.  As Stanley Cup champions, Smith-Pelly and his teammates skated with the Cup, but he won’t take the trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The Capitals have not made an official statement as a team. However, Smith-Pelly spoke after President Donald Trump uninvited the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles to a planned White House celebration. His position seems clear; he will not visit a White House occupied by Donald Trump.

Standing Up for Your Beliefs

More from Puck Prose

Devante Smth-Pelly is one of a handful of minority hockey players in the NHL. He has experienced racial taunts from fans in Chicago. He made no comment after the incident in Chicago. Smith-Pelly is not alone in being taunted by fans. Philadelphia Flyers Alternate Captain Wayne Simmonds was taunted by having a banana thrown at him during a shootout.

Both the NBA and NFL have felt more of this controversy. While he was with the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the National Anthem to bring attention to racial inequities. President Donald Trump has been long infuriated by the peaceful, kneeling protests of NFL players.

The NFL recently made a change to their policies, promising to punish players who do not stand for the National Anthem. While none of the Eagles took a knee in any regular or postseason game, Trump rescinded the traditional White House invitation, as the team had indicated that not all the players would attend.

Next: Ranking Each NHL Team's All-Time Starting Lineup

While the NHL has no policy on the players standing for the playing of the National Anthem, J.T. Brown is the only player to do anything out of the ordinary. He raised his fist during it while he was with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Home / Washington Capitals