FILE - At left, in an April 19, 2018, file photo, Washington Capitals' Devante Smith-Pelly plays against the Columbus Blue Jackets during Game 4 of an NHL first-round hockey playoff game, in Columbus, Ohio. At right, in a file photo from the same game, Capitals' Michal Kempny plays against Columbus. Forward Devante Smith-Pelly was bought out by New Jersey, and defenseman Michal Kempny was relegated to a third-pairing role or a healthy scratch by Chicago. Each player’s career was in danger of being over. Then the Capitals signed Smith-Pelly last summer and acquired Kempny at the trade deadline, hitting on the kind of moves every Stanley Cup contender tries to make as they’ve been a big reason of putting the team on the verge of winning the Stanley Cup. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Republished June 06, 2018 - 6:37 PM
Original Publication Date June 06, 2018 - 6:06 PM
LAS VEGAS - Count out Devante Smith-Pelly if the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup and are invited to the White House to celebrate with President Donald Trump.
"The things that he spews are straight-up racist and sexist," Canada's Postmedia quoted Smith-Pelly as saying Wednesday as the Capitals prepared for Game 5 against the Vegas Golden Knights. "Some of the things he's said are pretty gross. I'm not too into politics, so I don't know all his other views, but his rhetoric I definitely don't agree with. It hasn't come up here, but I think I already have my mind made up."
Smith-Pelly, one of two black Capitals players, is from the Toronto area. He spoke two days after Trump cancelled the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles' visit to the White House, and a day after NBA stars LeBron James and Curry both said they wouldn't visit.
The Capitals lead the best-of-seven series 3-1, and can hoist the Cup on Thursday night.
The 25-year-old Smith-Pelly has scored in the last two games of the finals and had six goals — two of them winners — and an assist in the playoffs. He had seven goals in 75 games in the regular season.
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