Kildee Honors Stanley Cup MVP Tim Thomas in Congressional Record

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) honored Flint Native and Davison High School graduate Tim Thomas in the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Record –  the official, permanent record of the proceedings in the U.S. House of Representatives. Last evening, Thomas helped lead the Boston Bruins to victory in the Stanley Cup and was awarded the Most Valuable Player Award. The Congressman’s Congressional Record statement is as follows:

I rise today to congratulate Stanley Cup winner, playoff MVP, Flint Native and Davison High School graduate Tim Thomas.

Tim’s road to the championship is a tale of perseverance and staying true to your dreams.   Tim was born in my hometown of Flint, Michigan, graduating from high school in nearby Davison. From an early age, he dreamed of playing in the NHL as a goalie. His family was so supportive of his dreams, that his parents sold their wedding rings in order to pay for him to go to hockey camp.

During his four years of college hockey at the University of Vermont, he was the 217th player drafted in 1994 and turned down an offer to play for the NHL’s Quebec Nordiques. After graduation, he spent nine years playing for minor league teams in the United States and for leagues in Canada and Finland. It seemed that his dream of playing in the NHL would not be realized.

But finally, after years of perseverance he finally got the call to the big leagues, becoming a full-time goalie for the Boston Bruins in the 2005-2006 season. He continued his uphill battle to keep his place on the team, fighting through critics who wanted him traded and a hip injury that required surgery during the off season. But last night, he showed that all those years of hard work were worth it. Tim helped lead his team to playoff victory, blocking 37 shots to post his fourth shutout of the series.  At the age of 37, Tim is only the fourth goalie in history to post a Game 7 shutout in the Stanley Cup finals.

Tim’s story is an inspiration to everyone who has been told that they’re not good enough and who have struggled to achieve success. He is proof that if you work hard, greatness can be achieved and that dreams do come true.

I ask the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Tim Thomas for helping to lead the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup victory and winning the title of Most Valuable Player.