The Blues visit Trump and the White House

(Washington) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday honored St. Louis Blues players for winning the Stanley Cup in June, and took the opportunity to announce an envoy to Turkey. alluding to the economy and an agricultural deal with China and making a mockery of the possibility of impeachment.

Posted on October 15, 2019 at 9:07 pm

Stephen Whyno
Associated Press

For the Blues, it was more of a last chance to celebrate the first title in their history than to make a political statement.

Like former NHL champion teams, they have decided to respect the long tradition of visiting the White House president, while NBA and other leagues have either refused, have not received invitation or were told that they were no longer invited by Trump.

The Blues have countless players from Canada and one American from the group that beat the Boston Bruins in the final.

All the players who came back with the team participated in the visit, met Trump and were present at the ceremony held in the Rose Garden of the White House.

"No matter what we do, we do it as a group," said Alex Steen, one of the Blues captain's assistants. I think that's how we won. We are a very tight group. "

Trump began talking about the return of soldiers sent overseas from the stock market and revealed that Vice President Mike Pence was heading to Turkey to try to reach a ceasefire.

When he returned to the subject of the Blues, he recalled their incredible recovery from last place to the championship, with references to Steen, owner Tom Stillman, captain Alex Pietrangelo, goaltender Jordan Binnington, the forward Jaden Schwartz – whom he called "Jason" – and Ryan O'Reilly, the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy.

"There is not much better than seeing the office (oval) and visiting the White House," said Schwartz, who knows full well that he may have inherited a new nickname.

"It's something we'll remember all our life. "

Trump even talked about "Gloria," the success of singer Laura Branigan in 1982 which became the theme of the team, and did not forget Laila Anderson, the young Blues supporter who fights a rare auto-illness. immune and that proved the inspiration of the whole team.

Stillman, who handed Trump a Blues jersey that had been sewn on No. 45, described the afternoon as a light and fun celebration. He echoed Steen's comments as to why the whole team was there – a contrast to the absence of goalkeeper Braden Holtby and Washington Capitals striker Brett Connolly last March to support Devante Smith. -Pelly.

Commissioner Gary Bettman attended the ceremony.