1 of 5 | President Donald Trump was presented with a gold-plated hockey stick and a personalized jersey as he welcomed the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at the White House on Monday. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI |
License Photo
Feb. 3 (UPI) -- More than seven months after the Florida Panthers won their first Stanley Cup, the team visited the White House on Monday, during which President Donald Trump recounted "one of the most riveting comebacks in NHL history."
It was the first visit by a sports team with President Donald Trump during his second term as president.
Team members flew from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Dulles International Airport earlier Monday.
The team presented him a red customized "Trump 45-47" jersey framed for him and a gold-plated hockey stick.
Florida defeated the Edmonton Oilers in seven games to win the Stanley Cup on June 27, 2024. The Panthers captured the title with 2-1 victory in Game 7 after taking a 3-0 lead in the series.
"This is really some special because I watched those games and I was a little bit worried after I watched them three up," Trump, a South Florida resident, said.
"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 exciting."
Trump mentioned Panthers owner Vinnie Viola as a friend. He said "nobody knows hockey like Paul" Maurice, the head coach.
Also on hand were Florida Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, several U.S. House members from Florida, as well as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
After the 18-minutes event in the East Room, Trump them invited them to the Oval Office.
On Sunday, the Panthers defeated the New York Islanders 6-3 at their home at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. in Game 7. They remain atop the Atlantic Division at 32-19-3 in their third consecutive win.
On Tuesday, the Florida team will face the host Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena, where Trump celebrated after his inauguration two weeks ago.
Other South Florida professional titles were the NFL Miami Dolphins in 1972 and 1973, the baseball Miami Marlins in 1997 and 2003, and the NBA Miami Heat in 2006, 2012 and 2013.
The Boston Celtics were the last team to be honored at the White House in November after winning the NBA title on June 18 against the Dallas Mavericks. They met with President Joe Biden.
During Trump's first term, 20 major sports teams won championships but only 10 celebrated at the White House.
Trump did not invite some of the winning teams and others expressed no desire to attend even if they had received an invitation.
In 2017, Trump served fast food when he welcomed the Clemson Tigers after winning their 2016 college football title.