At a White House ceremony commemorating the Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup triumph, American hockey star Matthew Tkachuk expressed his deep patriotism. Tkachuk, one of six Americans on the championship roster, addressed President Donald Trump during the event on Monday.
He conveyed his gratitude for the invitation and emphasized his pride in being an American, stating, "Being one of the few Americans, who loves this country so much, it’s such an incredible day for myself. You wake up every day really grateful to be an American."
Tkachuk highlighted the strong bonds he's forged with his teammates, emphasizing the significance of their victory after reaching the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year. He described the team as "special," adding, "I’ve built bonds with these guys that I’ll have for the rest of my life. I’m forever grateful for these guys. We’re forever champs, and I’ll always remember these guys."
Tkachuk and teammate Aleksander Barkov presented President Trump with a commemorative gold hockey stick and a personalized Panthers jersey bearing Trump's name and the number 47. The president carried the stick as he and the team proceeded to the next event.
Since joining the Panthers via a trade with the Calgary Flames before the 2022-23 season, Tkachuk has played a crucial role in elevating the team's performance.
With 18 goals and 32 assists this season, Tkachuk has contributed significantly to the Panthers' current standing atop the Atlantic Division with a 32-19-2 record.
