Bruins Thomas Says No Thanks To 24/7
BOSTON (CBS) - While fans are loving the NHL 24/7 series on HBO, Boston Bruins netminder Tim Thomas wouldn't want cameras following his team's every move.
"I would absolutely hate that," Thomas said from the B's practice in Wilmington on Monday. "Having cameras around all the time, I don't care what you say, it changes the way you act. You're either going to play for the camera or end up being quieter than you normally are. One way or the other, I'd find it a hard time to be 'real' with the camera around that much."
Tim Thomas Wouldn't Want To Be On 24/7
With Philadelphia and New York set to play in Monday's Winter Classic, HBO camera's followed both teams around for the month leading up to the game, giving fans an inside look to each team.
While Thomas likes what the show does for the fans, he wouldn't feel comfortable with a camera constantly around him, both on and off the ice.
"I think there is a limit," he said. "You get the camera around all the time like that and you start to turn hockey players into Jersey Shore cast members or an MTV kind of thing like that. I don't think that's the way it should be personally."
Flyers Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov has become famous for thoughts on the universe a few weeks ago. While the show gives fans a genuine look at the players' personalities, Thomas said there are a few things he would like to keep private.
"I'd rather hide what a nut I am rather than advertise it to the whole world," he joked.
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While he wouldn't want to be featured on 24/7, Thomas would love to get another shot at a Winter Classic.
"That was definitely one of the highlights of the year for me; that and going to the Olympics saved the year for me," Thomas said of the B's 2010 appearance at Fenway Park against the Flyers on New Year's Day. "It was a lot of fun playing in the outdoor venue. As an American playing in a baseball stadium, it meant a lot more to me than it might have a Canadian or a Finnish guy."
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"Being a history buff playing in a historic venue like Fenway Park was special to me too," added Thomas. "I'm going to watch the game today and I hope they have fun out there."
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There has been talk of next year's Winter Classic being held in Detroit. It is possible the Bruins, and the Flint, Michigan native Thomas, could play in that game after all the success they've enjoyed the last two seasons.
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