Overview
- President Donald Trump hosted the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Thursday, marking their second straight White House visit.
- Players presented a custom No. 47 jersey, a golden hockey stick and two championship rings, with Trump slipping on a ring and lifting the stick for cameras.
- Trump praised the team’s run and remarked that the Panthers had denied Canada the Stanley Cup, drawing applause in the East Room.
- Matthew Tkachuk told the audience he was honored to be there and said he was proud to be an American, while noting excitement for Olympic duty next month.
- The team’s coordinated navy suits, white shirts, red ties and USA lapel pins drew sharp reactions on social media, as the Panthers resumed a road trip with games at Carolina on Friday and at Washington on Saturday.