WASHINGTON - Florida Republican Congressman Byron Donalds joined President Donald Trump and other state officials Monday to celebrate the Florida Panthers winning the Stanley Cup at the Capitol.
"Back in June, the @FlaPanthers brought South Florida our first Stanley Cup," Florida Republican Congressman Byron Donalds said. "Today, I joined President Trump, members of our state Congressional delegation, and state legislators to celebrate this historic team. It’s 2025 and South Florida is the hockey capital of the world."
The Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final to win their first NHL championship in franchise history last June. The Panthers avoided a historic collapse after the Oilers won three straight games to tie the series before bowing out in Game 7.
The Panthers received goals from Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart in the series-clinching win. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky also made 23 of 24 saves, redeeming himself after giving up 12 goals in Games 4-6.
"Great to be at the White House with some great Florida friends to celebrate the @FlaPanthers win with @AshleyMoodyFL, @JimmyPatronis, @JoeGruters, @MikeHaridopolos, @Daniel_PerezFL!" Republican Sen. Rick Scott said.
Not since the 1942 Detroit Red Wings had an NHL team blown a 3-0 series lead in the final. The Oilers also failed to finish the comeback and bring a Stanley Cup back to Canada, a drought dating back to 1993 with the Montreal Canadians
Edmonton last won a Stanley Cup in 1990. The Panthers were founded three years later and were making their third finals appearance.
Despite the loss, star player Connor McDavid was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Stanley Cup playoffs. McDavid became the sixth player to win the trophy on a losing team, and the first non-goalie to do so since 1976.
Head Coach Paul Maurice also won his first Stanley Cup after coming up short in two prior appearances. It was a long time coming for Maurice, who had coached an NHL-record 1,985 games, the longest drought of any head coach before winning a championship in league history.
Maurice began his head coaching career with the Hartford Whalers in 1995. He also coached the Carolina Panthers for 11 seasons and made one of his Stanley Cup appearances with the team in 2002.
He was named head coach of the Florida Panthers in 2022.
"What an awesome day celebrating @FlaPanthers with @realDonaldTrump! Loved meeting the players. Great seeing @SenRickScott @SenAshleyMoody @DrNealDunn2 @JoeGruters @Daniel_PerezFL too!" Patronis said.
The Panthers previously lost in the Stanley Cup final to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and the Colorado Avalanche in 1996. Notably, each of the past five Stanley Cup finals has been represented by a team from Florida.
The Tampa Bay Lightning also won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021 and made a finals appearance in 2022.
"Although, as a Tampa Bay native, I’m used to cheering for the Lightning, it was great to be at the White House today to celebrate the @FlaPanthers and their incredible victory with @POTUS," Florida Sen. Ashley Moody said.
