U.S. president congratulated the Florida Panthers on their Stanley Cup win during a ceremony at the White House.
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| Members of the Florida Panthers look on as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a ceremony to honour the 2025 Stanley Cup champions on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2026. Getty Images |
Donald Trump has never been shy about firing off an unprovoked shot or two whenever he can.
The U.S. president had one ready and waiting on Thursday, a little dig at his neighbours to the north during a ceremony celebrating the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
While speaking during the champions’ traditional White House visit, Trump made sure to make note of how long it has been since a Canadian franchise has hoisted the Cup.
“You denied Canada the Stanley Cup for the 32nd straight year,” Trump said during the ceremony, referencing the Cup drought of teams from the Great White North.
“We have a little competition with Canada,” Trump continued after applause. “They’re great people, though. They’re great people.
“We’re doing much better than Canada, but that’s OK, right? We want them to do well and they’re gonna do well.”
The Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers in the Cup final last summer for the second consecutive season. Connor McDavid and Co. were attempting to become the first Canadian team to hoist the Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens won in 1993.
It should also be noted that while a Canadian-based franchise hasn’t won the Cup in more than three decades, the Panthers current roster features 13 players from Canada and that Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett hails from Holland Landing, Ont.
The Panthers made their White House visit during a rare three-day break in their busy schedule. They’ll be back in action on Friday night, playing in Raleigh against the Carolina Panthers. They then return to Washington on Saturday for a game against the Capitals.
Trump’s rivalry with Canada
This wasn’t the first time Trump has remarked on the on-ice rivalry between Canada and the U.S. The 79-year-old head of state waded into the discourse during last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off, an event that came at a time when Trump had been calling for Canada to become the ‘51st State’ and referred to then-prime minister Justin Trudeau as the “governor” of Canada.
Team Canada beat the Americans in the final of the tournament, but the 4 Nations was marred by the booing of the rival country’s national anthem in both Montreal and Boston.
It wouldn’t be far-fetched to think that there will be animosity between the Canadian and American teams should they meet at next month’s Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy.
What else did Trump say?
As he has in past championship celebrations at the White House, Trump gushed over the players’ physiques and good looks.
“Good-looking people, young beautiful people, I hate them,” he said, alluding to the NHLers stealing his spotlight.
“You hate standing here with all this power behind you. But I got power too. It’s called the United States military.”
Trump, who has outfitted with the White House with much golden decor, was gifted a golden hockey stick by the team.
After spotting the stick during his speech, Trump admitted to wanting it before joking that as president, he could take it if he wanted to.
- Dan Bilicki
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