Florida Panthers Honored at the White House After Second Straight Stanley Cup Title
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Florida Panthers are making a habit of visiting the White House - and they’ve earned every bit of it.
Fresh off capturing their second consecutive Stanley Cup, the Panthers were welcomed to the nation’s capital on Thursday, where President Donald J. Trump hosted the reigning champs in a celebratory ceremony that recognized not just a trophy, but a team that’s built a winning culture from the ground up.
“These men are responsible for the greatest feats in franchise history,” the President said, calling the group “unbelievable athletes and players” and praising the team’s “aura of winning.”
That aura isn’t just talk - it’s backed by history. The Panthers became just the 10th franchise in NHL history to repeat as champions, and they did it the hard way.
Florida started every playoff series on the road and still managed to tie a postseason record with 10 road wins. That kind of resilience doesn’t happen by accident - it’s forged over time, through chemistry, leadership, and a relentless drive that’s now become the Panthers’ identity.
Their Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers - the same team they beat in 2024 to win their first Cup - was a showcase of control and confidence. Florida held a lead for a jaw-dropping 255 minutes and 49 seconds of game time across the series, setting a new NHL record.
In the decisive Game 6, a 5-1 win, they led for nearly the entire contest - 55 minutes and 46 seconds out of 60. That’s not just dominance; that’s a team playing with purpose.
Panthers owner Vincent Viola addressed the crowd with a message that echoed the team’s mindset: “We’re not going to stop.” And based on what we’ve seen from this group over the past two seasons, there’s no reason to doubt him.
The White House ceremony was more than just photo ops and speeches. It was a celebration of sacrifice, perseverance, and the kind of grit that defines champions. Players and staff had the opportunity to explore the historic building, taking in the artifacts and artwork that line the halls - a rare experience that still left them in awe, even the second time around.
“You get to do it a second time, so you know what to expect,” said captain Aleksander Barkov. “It’s still an amazing feeling to come here and see everything and see Mr. President and everything.”
During the ceremony, the President highlighted the team’s playoff journey and gave individual nods to several key contributors - including Barkov, Brad Marchand, Sergei Bobrovsky, Sam Reinhart, Aaron Ekblad, Seth Jones, and Sam Bennett. For Jones, the unexpected shoutout was a pleasant surprise.
“Pretty cool,” he said. “Didn’t know it was coming.”
One of the more memorable moments came when Bennett, the playoff MVP, shook hands with the President - a handshake that apparently left an impression. “He’s got a very powerful hand,” the President joked, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Matthew Tkachuk also took the podium, offering a candid look at what it took for this group to go back-to-back. Tkachuk, who battled through a torn adductor and sports hernia during the postseason, spoke about the physical and emotional toll of winning at the highest level.
“Winning, it takes a toll,” he said. “You pay a price for it, and each one of these members behind me, it really does take a village to make it happen. Each player played a very important part.”
Tkachuk’s words hit home - because this Panthers team isn’t just about star power. It’s about depth, trust, and a shared belief that every shift matters. That mindset is what separates good teams from great ones - and it’s what’s turned Florida into a modern-day powerhouse.
As a token of appreciation, the team presented the President with a pair of Stanley Cup rings - one from each championship season - along with a golden engraved hockey stick and a personalized jersey. After the ceremony, players and staff joined the President in the Oval Office, capping off a day that blended history, celebration, and a reminder of just how far this franchise has come.
“Seeing the Oval Office, seeing the rooms that we were waiting in, seeing all the historical artifacts and things like that, it really brings you back to history class,” said Jones. “It’s amazing.
A dream come true. The White House has so much aura.”
Two Cups. Two visits.
And a team that’s not done yet. The Panthers have gone from hopeful contenders to the NHL’s gold standard - and if their championship core has anything to say about it, the celebration may just be getting started.