WHITE HOUSE Bush lauds Red Wings

The president commended the NHL champs for their play and being good examples for children.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Calling them "ruffians skating in the same direction," President Bush praised the Detroit Red Wings on Friday for their championship play and community service.
In an East Room ceremony filled with good-natured ribbing, Bush said athletes should follow the Red Wings' lead and be good examples for children who adore them.
"See, it's one thing to be the champion on the ice, it's another thing to be a champion living your lives," the president said.
Bush mentioned an NHL tradition in which members of the championship team each get a day to carry around the Stanley Cup. Team captain Steve Yzerman visited children in three hospitals with the trophy.
Money for charity
The team's owner, Mike Ilitch, used the Stanley Cup to raise money for charity. Scotty Bowman, the Hall of Fame coach who retired after last year's championship, "made a dream come true for a child with leukemia, who just simply wanted to touch the Stanley Cup," Bush said.
"You've proven yourself to be champs off the ice," the president said. "You have a responsibility to set the right example and to use your position to help not only serve something greater than yourself, the team, but to serve a society and help heal the hurt and help people who need a little special care."
The event was not all serious.
Kidding around
The president kidded Ilitch, who also owns the struggling Detroit Tigers. Bush, former controlling owner of the Texas Rangers, said, "This goes to prove it's easier to win in hockey than in baseball."
The Red Wings beat the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup finals for their third title in six years.
Bush said Bowman is so popular in Michigan that he had a job in mind for the former coach -- but it already is held by Dick Cheney.
Standing behind him, laughing, were the Red Wings -- including center Kris Draper, who was sporting a black eye after getting hit by a stick in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night.
Congratulations
Bowman congratulated Bush for, hours earlier, securing a 15-0 vote at the United Nations Security Council for action against Iraq.
"We had to win 16 games" in the playoffs to earn the Stanley Cup, Bowman said. "We know how hard that is."
Bush commented on the Wings' international flavor, with players from Russia, Canada, the United States and the Czech Republic. "It looks like the United Nations," he said.