Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk had a proud American moment in the White House on Monday while he and his team celebrated their Stanley Cup victory with President Donald Trump.
Tkachuk, who was one of the six Americans on the winning alignment of the championship last season, was able to address the president during the celebration.
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President Donald Trump, on the left, shakes his hand with Matthew Tkachuk during a ceremony with the NHL Hockey team from Florida Panthers to celebrate his victory in 2024 Stanley Cup in the east house of the White House on Monday February 3, 2025 in Washington, DC, DC (AP photo / Alex Brandon)
“Thank you, Mr. President, for having us today. We appreciate it greatly. Being one of the few Americans, who loves this country so much, it’s an incredible day for me. You are really wakeing up every day grateful to be an American.
Tkachuk then told the president how special the group of men is. Florida appeared in the Stanley Cup final for the second consecutive time last season and was finally able to overcome the bump and win the trophy for the first time in the history of the franchise.
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President Donald Trump, center, poses for a photo with Aleksander Barkov, on the left, and Matthew Tkachuk with a jersey and a hockey stick during a ceremony with the Hockey team of Florida Panthers to celebrate their victory of Stanley Cup 2024, in the eastern room of the eastern room in the eastern room in the eastern room in the eastern room in the eastern room of the eastern room of the room of the room La Room de la Room de la Room de la Room de la Room de la Room de la Room de la Room de la Room de la Room de la Room de la Room de la Room de la Room de la Room from the room of the room of the room of the room of the room of the inter house white on Monday February 3, 2025 in Washington, DC (AP photo / Alex Brandon)
“This team and this group of guys are special,” he added. “Everyone sees what we do on the ice, but I have built links with these guys that I will have for the rest of my life. I am eternally grateful for these guys. We are champions forever, and I will always remember these guys.
Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov presented to the president a golden hockey stick and a panthers sweater that read Trump and n ° 47 at the back. Trump took out the stick out of the room while he and the team were moving to the next event.
The panthers have acquired Tkachuk in a business with the flames of Calgary before the 2022-23 season, and he helped to raise Florida since.
President Donald Trump, Center, holds a hockey stick before he poses for a photo with Aleksander Barkov, on the left, and Matthew Tkachuk during a ceremony with the Hockey team of Florida Panthers in Maison 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 file of 32-19-2.
