"Light-hearted, fun kind of celebration." Like previous NHL champions, the whole team stayed gracious with tradition of visiting the White House - regardless of politics.
President Donald Trump honored the Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues on Tuesday as he replayed "their improbable run from last place in the league to champions with nods to Steen, owner Tom Stillman, captain Alex Pietrangelo, goaltender Jordan Binnington, forward Jaden Schwartz — who he called “Jason” — and playoff MVP Ryan O’Reilly.
“Being able to see (the Oval) Office and get a tour of the White House, it doesn’t get much better than that,” said Schwartz, who acknowledged he might have a new nickname. “This is (something) you’ll remember forever.”
Trump even mentioned the Blues adopting Laura Branigan’s 1982 hit “Gloria” as their victory song, and the U.S. Marine Band played the team into the ceremony with that tune. Young fan Laila Anderson, who was the team’s inspiration while she fought a rare auto-immune disease, got her own mention.
“You inspired the Blues all season, and today you continue to inspire all Americans,” Trump said. “We all know your story.”
Stillman, who presented Trump with a No. 45 Blues jersey, called it a “light-hearted, fun kind of celebration.” He echoed Steen’s sentiments about why the entire team showed up — a departure from when goaltender Braden Holtby and forward Brett Connolly skipped the 2018 champion Washington Capitals’ visit in March in support of teammate Devante Smith-Pelly.
“I think this team acts as a team in everything they do,” Stillman said. “They stick together. By and large, (I) like to keep politics and sports separate. This is a matter of a traditional honor, being invited to the White House by the presidency. It’s something you do. I’m really proud of our group for all coming together and having a good time of it, as well.”
Ever the showman, Trump joked with a few players:
“Look at that guy,” Trump said in the middle of his remarks. “Look at that mouth on the guy. Come here a minute.”
He was looking at the chip-toothed Steen. As Blues fans know, Steen has the rugged look of someone who’s taken a few pucks and sticks to the face over a long career, and the president took notice.
“Do you think he’s taken a few hits?” Trump asked to a smiling and somewhat flabbergasted Steen. “Do you think he’s tough? Do you think I could take him in a fight? I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Trump kidded goalie Jordan Binnington about giving up a goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against Boston. A shutout would’ve made it easier for the Blues.
“You know that’s my bad, I guess,” Binnington replied.
And so it went. Trump asked Ryan O’Reilly if he was Irish. Yes, O’Reilly replied.
He noted that Blues chairman Tom Stillman once worked in government (the Department of Commerce).
“If you ever get tired of doing this, maybe we can get you back over there (in government),” Trump said.
“I’m sticking with hockey,” Stillman replied."
Wise decision.
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