Trump Welcome to the Stanley Cup -Masters Florida Panthers to the White House

On By Littum

Florida Panthers Center Anton Lundell celebrates his second goal of the game against Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period of Florida Panthers 5-2 win at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on February 14, 2024. File photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

1 of 3 | Florida Panthers Center Anton Lundell celebrates his second goal of the game against Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period of Florida Panthers 5-2 win at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on February 14, 2024. File photo by Archie Carpenter/Upi | License photo

3rd February (UPI) – More than seven months after Florida Panthers won their first Stanley Cup, the team will visit the White House on Monday to commemorate the victory.

It will be First visit of a sports team With President Donald Trump in his second period as president.

Team members flew from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Dulles International Airport earlier Monday.

On Sunday, the Panthers New York I Islanders defeated 6-3 at home with the American Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. They remain at the top of the Atlantic Division of 32-19-3 in their third win in a row.

On Tuesday, the Florida team faces host Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena, where Trump celebrated after his inauguration two weeks ago.

Boston Celtics was the last team honored in the White House in November after winning the NBA title on June 18 against Dallas Mavericks. They met with President Joe Biden.

Six days after the NBA final, Panthers defeated the defense champion Edmonton Oilers in sunrise. Panthers lost the championship in 2023 in the final.

Other professional titles in South Florida were NFL Miami Dolphins in 1972 and 1973, Baseball Miami Marlins in 1997 and 2003 and NBA Miami Heat in 2006, 2012 and 2013.

During Trump’s first term20 large sports teams won championships, but only 10 celebrated in the White House.

Trump did not invite some of the winning teams and others expressed no desire to attend even if they had received an invitation.

In 2017, Trump served fast food when he welcomed Clemson Tigers after winning their college football title in 2016.