Trump mocks Canada while hosting Florida Panthers at White House
Donald Trump quipped about Canada while greeting the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers at the White House. Several Panthers are Canadian, and the team is managing injuries this season.
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By Torontoer Staff
Donald Trump used the White House ceremony for the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers to make a pointed joke about Canada on Thursday. He congratulated the team, then told the players the United States had denied Canada the Cup for 32 straight years.
The comments drew attention because many Panthers players are Canadian. The club also faces a challenging stretch in the NHL season, with injuries sidelining key contributors.
What he said
You denied Canada the Stanley Cup for the 32nd straight year. We have a little competition with Canada. No, they're great people, though. We’re doing much better than Canada, but that's okay, right? We want them to do well, and they’re going to do well.
Donald Trump
Trump delivered the line with a grin during remarks to the players and staff. He was correct that a U.S. team has won the Stanley Cup in successive years stretching back to the last Canadian winner, the Montreal Canadiens, in 1993.
Roster makeup and the Canada angle
Reports from last season’s playoffs show the Panthers dressed more Canadian players than American players. That made the remark notable to observers who pointed out the team’s heavy Canadian presence on the ice.
- Panthers reportedly had nine Canadians suit up during last year’s playoffs, versus five Americans.
- The NHL remains international, with top talent from Canada, the United States and Europe.
- The last Canadian-based team to win the Stanley Cup was the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.
Players and ceremony
Despite the political ribbing, players left the White House ceremony smiling. The event is a traditional honour for championship teams, and the Panthers treated it as such.
We’re so honoured to be here. Being an American, I know I said this last year, but nothing beats this. I’m so proud to be an American and so proud to be here with you and everybody else.
Matthew Tkachuk
Tkachuk, who spoke to reporters during the visit, emphasised the pride players feel in receiving a White House welcome. Teammates posed for photos and accepted the formal recognition despite any offhand remarks from the podium.
Where the Panthers stand this season
The Panthers’ on-ice focus returns to the standings. At the time of the ceremony the team was trailing the Boston Bruins by five points for a playoff wild-card spot. Injuries have been a significant factor so far.
- Key players have missed games due to injury, affecting the club’s performance.
- Both Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov had yet to play this season because of separate injuries.
- The Panthers must manage player health while trying to regain momentum in the standings.
Managing those absences will be crucial if the Panthers hope to defend their title and navigate the compressed schedule that follows the midseason break.
Politics, sport and public moments
A White House visit for a championship team often mixes sport and politics. Remarks by public figures can become part of the story, even when the focus for players and fans is the achievement itself.
For the Panthers, the ceremony provided a public celebration of their Stanley Cup win and a brief reminder of the international nature of professional hockey. The team returns to a season where health and consistent play will determine whether they can contend again.
The White House visit ended on a positive note for the Panthers. The players and staff left with the formal recognition that comes with a championship, and a reminder that off-ice comments will not change the realities of the locker room or the standings.
Donald TrumpFlorida PanthersStanley CupNHLCanada
