Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump hosted the 2024 Stanley Cup winners, the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League, at the White House on Monday.
Trump honored the team in remarks before team members and coach Paul Maurice for its win over the Edmonton Oilers in the seven-game series for the team’s first championship.
“You fell in love with that team, the guts and the courage they had,” Trump said. “I watched those games and I was a little bit worried. They lost three and I said ‘ooh, this is gonna be a tough loss.’ That would have been bad but you, real champions, can pull it out.”
The president also highlighted the event in multiple posts on his Truth Social profile.
“It was my great honor to host the 2024 Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers at the White House today. Congratulations!” he wrote alongside pictures with the team.
The visit marked the first by a professional sports team since Trump’s return to the White House.
“The Panthers, 2023 and 2024, season was one for the history of books,” Trump remarked. “It was really an exciting one. Everybody was watching it.”
“You secured the Atlantic Division title for the third time, and after coming up just short of the Stanley Cup the year prior, you gave the fans one of the most riveting comebacks in NHL history, in any sport history. I don’t know anything about a comeback, but they tell me it’s very nice,” said Trump.
CBS News reported that the team gave the president a red “Trump 45-47” jersey framed for him. He was also given a “Trump 47” jersey and a gold stick.
Forward Matthew Tkachuk, the only U.S.-born player on the team this season who was part of the Cup run, thanked Trump for hosting the Panthers, according to ESPN. He stated “being one of the few Americans who loves this country so much, this is such an incredible day for myself. You wake up every day really grateful to be an American, so thank you.”
The visit was also ahead of the team’s game Tuesday night against the Washington Capitals.
