Panthers' Matthew Tkachuck 'grateful to be an American' as team celebrates Stanley Cup title with Trump

Florida Panthers prima Matthew Tkachuk had a arrogant American infinitesimal astatine the White House connected Monday arsenic helium and his squad celebrated their Stanley Cup triumph with President Donald Trump.

Tkachuk, who was 1 of six Americans connected the championship-winning roster past season, was capable to code the president during the celebration.

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President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Matthew Tkachuk during a ceremonial with the Florida Panthers NHL hockey squad to observe their 2024 Stanley Cup triumph successful the East Room of the White House connected Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 successful Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

"Thank you, Mr. President, for having america today. We greatly admit it. Being 1 of the fewer Americans, who loves this state truthful much, it’s specified an unthinkable time for myself. You aftermath up each time truly grateful to beryllium an American. So, convey you," helium said.

Tkachuk past told the president astir however peculiar the radical of men down him are. Florida appeared successful the Stanley Cup Final for the 2nd consecutive clip past play and were capable to yet get implicit the hump and triumph the trophy for the archetypal clip successful franchise history.

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President Donald Trump, center, poses for a photograph with Aleksander Barkov, left, and Matthew Tkachuk with a jersey and a hockey instrumentality during a ceremonial with the Florida Panthers NHL hockey squad to observe their 2024 Stanley Cup win, successful the East Room of the White House connected Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 successful Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

"This squad and this radical of guys is special," helium added. "Everybody sees what we bash connected the ice, but I’ve built bonds with these guys that I’ll person for the remainder of my life. I’m everlastingly grateful for these guys. We’re everlastingly champs, and I’ll ever retrieve these guys."

Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov presented the president with a aureate hockey instrumentality and a Panthers sweater that work Trump and No. 47 connected the backmost of it. Trump carried the instrumentality retired of the country arsenic helium and the squad moved to the adjacent event.

The Panthers acquired Tkachuk successful a commercialized with the Calgary Flames earlier the 2022-23 season, and helium has helped elevate Florida ever since.

President Donald Trump, center, holds a hockey instrumentality earlier helium poses for a photograph with Aleksander Barkov, left, and Matthew Tkachuk during a ceremonial with the Florida Panthers NHL hockey squad to observe their 2024 Stanley Cup win, successful the East Room of the White House connected Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 successful Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Tkachuk has 18 goals and 32 assists this season. Florida is backmost connected apical of the Atlantic Division with a 32-19-2 record.

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