The Florida Panthers star, Matthew Tkachuk, had a proud American moment in the White House on Monday while he and his team celebrated his Stanley Cup victory with President Donald Trump.
Tkachuk, who was one of the six Americans in the winning list of the championship last season, could go to the president during the celebration.
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President Donald Trump, on the left, shakes hand with Matthew Tkachuk during a ceremony with the NHL team of the Florida Panthers to celebrate his victory of the Stanley 2024 Cup in the east room of the White House on Monday 3 of February 2025 in Washington, DC (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“Thank you, Mr. President, for having us today. We appreciate it a lot. Being one of the few Americans, who loves this country so much, is an incredible day for me. You wake up every day really grateful to be an American.
Tkachuk then told the president how special they are the group of men behind him. Florida appeared in the Stanley Cup final for the second consecutive time last season and could finally overcome the hunchback and win the trophy for the first time in the history of the franchise.
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President Donald Trump, Centro, poses for a photo with Aleksander Barkov, on the left, and Matthew Tkachuk with a shirt and a hockey stick during a ceremony with the Florida Panthers Nhl hockey team to celebrate his Stanley Cup victory 2024, in the east room of the White House Room on Monday, February 3, 2025 in Washington, DC (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“This team and this group of boys is special,” he added. “Everyone see what we do on the ice, but I have built ties with these guys that I will have for the rest of my life. I am always grateful for these guys. We are champions forever, and I always remember these guys.”
Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov presented to the president a golden hockey stick and a panthers sweater that read Trump and number 47 on the back. Trump took the stick of the room when he and the team moved to the next event.
The Panthers acquired Tkachuk in an exchange with Calgary’s flames before the 2022-23 season, and has helped to raise Florida since then.
President Donald Trump, Centro, has a hockey stick before it appears for a photo with Aleksander Barkov, on the left, and Matthew Tkachuk during a ceremony with the Florida Panthers’s Hockey NHL team to celebrate his 2024 Stanley victory Cup, in the east room of the Blanca de la Blanca. House on Monday, February 3, 2025 in Washington, DC (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Tkachuk has 18 goals and 32 assists this season. Florida is back at the top of the Atlantic Division with a 32-19-2 record.
