President Donald Trump welcomed last season’s 2025 U.S. Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, to the White House and scored several unique gifts from the team, including a “Golden” hockey stick.
Ahead of the ceremony in the East Room on Thursday, the Panthers entered the room dressed in black suits with red ties, looking very similar to the kind of attire that President Donald Trump often wears.
The players were greeted with cheers and applause before President Trump spoke about the team’s incredible run of back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2024 and 2025.
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.@POTUS: “It’s an honor to welcome to the White House the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, the @FlaPanthers… These men are responsible for the greatest feats in Panthers franchise history.” pic.twitter.com/ueICsS7Hke
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 15, 2026
“It’s an honor to welcome to the White House the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers… These men are responsible for the greatest feats in the Panthers’ franchise history,” Trump said. “And beyond that, beyond that, I mean, you compare them to some of the greatest hockey teams ever.”
Trump then talked about the team’s highs and lows over the last several years. including their making an incredible comeback, after their loss in 2023, to win not just one but two Stanley Cup Championships.
He said, “Comebacks are wonderful, actually.” It was an obvious nod to his own presidential reelection victory, and it drew laughter from the room.
.@POTUS: “Not only did you live up to the sky-high expectations, you gave us perhaps the most dominant playoff run in NHL history… you led the Finals for over 255 minutes… and you denied Canada the Stanley Cup for the 32nd straight year.” 🤣 https://t.co/xLvVPz6LrU pic.twitter.com/hxXKADlnDy
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 15, 2026
“Not only did you live up to the sky-high expectations, you gave us perhaps the most dominant playoff run in NHL history… you led the Finals for over 255 minutes, the most of any team in NHL history, and you denied Canada the Stanley Cup for the 32nd straight year,” Trump explained.
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At one point, the owner of the Panthers, Vinnie Viola, said he, along with the rest of the team, was so honored to be at the White House with the president.
“I’m going to make it pretty clear, that we are honored to be here, and we’re honored to be here with you, Mr. President,” Viola said. “I speak on behalf of every Florida Panther fan all over the world — we’re not gonna stop.”
Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk then took to the mic to talk about being “so proud to be an American,” and said “that walk with [Trump] might’ve trumped it all,” before he presented a few special gifts the players had picked out to give to Trump.
.@FlaPanthers star Matthew Tkachuk: “The two Cups was pretty good, but that walk with you might’ve Trumped it all… Nothing beats this. I’m so proud to be an American, and so proud to be here with you.” pic.twitter.com/r3LXfIU5fQ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 15, 2026
And the gifts were pretty cool, including what appeared to be a gold-plated hockey stick, two Stanley Cup rings, and a red Stanley Cup jersey with Trump’s name and “47” on it.
The Stanley Cup Champion @FlaPanthers present @POTUS with rings, a stick, and a 47 jersey at the White House 🏒🔥 pic.twitter.com/2fLn1h9OX7
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 15, 2026
President Trump’s reaction to the golden stick might just be the best part as he remarked on the heft of the stick, and that it probably wouldn’t be good to play with. But Tkachuk remarked that it would be good for “slashing” in the game of hockey.
WATCH:
Florida Panthers gift President @realDonaldTrump a Stanley Cup Championship ring, stick, and jersey! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/A7Cn17pfbi
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) January 15, 2026
Trump later welcomed the team to the Oval Office for some fun and laughter.
“I want my teeth like that—I’d look like a tough guy!” 🤣
President Trump hands out presidential sharpies and coins to the Florida Panthers pic.twitter.com/OZ6QTOZ2XC
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) January 15, 2026
Congratulations to the Panthers! Can’t wait to see what this team does next.
Editor’s Note: The Democrat Party has never been less popular as voters reject its globalist agenda.
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