Smith-Pelly: Easy decision to forgo White House visit if Caps get invite

Devante Smith-Pelly hasn't struggled with his decision to not go to the White House should his Washington Capitals be invited by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The winger shed more light on his stance Tuesday after first making his feelings known back in early June.

"It was an easy decision," he told TSN's Mark Masters at BioSteel camp Tuesday. "I said it at the time and the decision was made a long time ago."

The Stanley Cup champion Capitals haven't been officially invited by the president yet, but he said in June that they'd likely be welcome.

Two days before that, Smith-Pelly told Postmedia's Michael Traikos that "the things that (Trump) spews are straight-up racist and sexist," adding that "some of the things he's said are pretty gross," and that he "definitely" doesn't agree with Trump's rhetoric.

About a week later, Smith-Pelly told reporters he'd "still love" Alex Ovechkin and any other teammates who decide to go. He shared a similar sentiment Tuesday while adding that he hasn't changed his mind about passing on a potential visit.

"I made my decision when the question was asked, so that hasn't changed," Smith Pelly told Masters. "(My teammates) don't care. The thing about that team is everyone is an individual and they let you be yourself, so I'm not going to hold it against anyone if they want to go. That's fine, they can go ahead, and no one's going to hold it against me or any other player who says, 'Hey, we don't want to go,' so they're all supportive. They don't care what I do."