Trump jokes about wanting hockey player teeth: 'I’d look like a tough guy'

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump shared a lighthearted moment with the Florida Panthers during their visit to the White House on Thursday afternoon, January 15.

While greeting the Stanley Cup champions, Trump joked about the physical toll of professional hockey, quipping that he wanted his teeth to look like those of a hockey player.

"The commander-in-chief, while greeting the ice hockey team players, reportedly said Trump wants his teeth to look like a professional hockey player. “I’d look like a tough guy!” Trump said.

The Panthers stopped by the White House ahead of their Friday, Jan 16, game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The team also brought along the Stanley Cup, which they won for the second consecutive year in June 2025 after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in six games. 

The interaction between the players and the president took place in the East Room of the White House.

Trump was presented with several gifts from the Panthers 

Team owner Vincent Viola gifted him a pair of Stanley Cup championship rings. The team also presented Trump with a commemorative hockey stick and jersey.

The Jan 15 visit marked the Panthers' second trip to the White House, following their 2025 ceremony honoring the franchise's 2024 Stanley Cup title. 

Speaking at the event, Viola said, “I speak on behalf of every Florida Panther fan all over the world. We’re not going to stop. We’re not going to stop.” 

Florida Panthers were honored to visit the White House 

Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk expressed gratitude on behalf of the team. “I just want to say on behalf of the organization and mainly the players, we’re so honored to be here,” he said. 

“Being an American, I know I said it last year, nothing beats this. I’m so proud to be an American and so proud to be here,” Tkachuk added. 

Reflecting on the demands of championship success, Tkachuk noted that winning comes at a cost. “Winning, it takes a toll” before lauding his team members.

“You pay a price for it, and each one of these members behind me, it really does take a village to make it happen. Each person played a very, very important part, and coming down to Florida, thanks to Vinnie Viola and Bill Zito, has really changed my life and I cannot believe that the three years we got two Stanley Cups and, like Vinnie said, we’re not stopping now,” he added.

Tkachuk concluded by saying, “We hope to be here next year. So, that’s the plan.” 

Trump called the Florida Panthers 'unbelievable players'

Trump, in turn paised the team's performance, “Not only did you live up to the sky-high expectations, you gave us perhaps the most dominant playoff run in NHL history.”

He also congratulated the team on its historic achievement. “An incredible two straight Stanley Cup victories and I just want to congratulate their unbelievable players. They have something different because I watched some of the games and it looked like it was going to be tough, and you blew them out,” he added.