On Monday afternoon, President Donald Trump hosted the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at the White House to honor their memorable win.
The Panthers are the inaugural professional sports team to meet Trump at the White House after he returned to office.
“The Panthers’ 2023 and 2024 season will be remembered in history.” Trump commented. “It truly was an exhilarating experience.” “Everyone was observing it.”
You captured the Atlantic Division title for the third time, and after narrowly missing the Stanley Cup the previous year, you provided fans with one of the most thrilling comebacks in NHL history, and in any sport’s history. “I have no knowledge regarding a comeback,” Trump stated.
The team presented him with a framed red custom “Trump 45-47” jersey. He was given a “Trump 47” jersey along with a gold stick.
The ceremony was postponed for almost an hour as Trump was discussing with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the possibility of delaying tariffs on Canada.
After the presentation, the president welcomed the team to the Oval Office.
In June, Florida won its inaugural Stanley Cup by overcoming the Edmonton Oilers in a seven-game series during the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
The Panthers clinched their title in front of over 19,000 spectators at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, winning 2-1 in Game 7.
Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe netted goals for Florida, with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopping 23 shots to secure the victory.
The fiercely contested series had Florida establishing a strong 3-0 lead before losing the subsequent three games, just escaping the fate of being the second team in NHL history to lose the Stanley Cup Final after holding a 3-0 advantage. The 1942 Detroit Red Wings are the sole team to experience that outcome.
The win also denied Edmonton its first title since 2006 and stopped Oilers captain Connor McDavid from winning his first Stanley Cup.
Throughout South Florida, supporters filled watch parties, bursting into cheers as the Panthers secured their long-desired championship.
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