The 2019 Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues visited the White House on Tuesday, and President Donald Trump was pleased to have them in the Oval Office.
The @StLouisBlues amazing comeback reminds us to never give up – and never lose faith. When you work hard, support each other, believe in yourself, and give it everything you’ve got, victory is always within reach! #STLBlues pic.twitter.com/QeF54kqUak
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 15, 2019
The ceremony didn't start off on a high note. The White House public address announcer apparently didn't have a copy of the NHL pronunciation guide and struggled with the surname of captain Alex Pietrangelo (puh-TRAN-geh-loh).
President Donald Trump, Blues owner Tom Stillman and captain Alex Pietrangelo pic.twitter.com/EHQsxn2nn8
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) October 15, 2019
Trump's time at the mic featured no shortage of memorable moments, including this exchange with goaltender Jordan Binnington.
I see you, Jordan Binnginton doing the Trump handshake. (Also he was funny on the mic.) pic.twitter.com/pWFjvVxoHD
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) October 15, 2019
The president then took a jab at sports agents while bragging about the trade deal he made with China.
During White House event with the St. Louis Blues, Trump disses sports agents: "Those agents, right? They sit in bed, they weigh 350 pounds, and they complain, 'you're not playing very well today, c'mon.'" pic.twitter.com/GECGxTOMbF
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 15, 2019
Trump brought veteran forward Alexander Steen front and center to show the crowd what toughness looks like. Steen, stereotypical of hockey players, has missing teeth, and Trump jokingly asked the crowd, "Do you think I could take him in a fight?"
Here's Trump making Blues players laugh by bashing "the fake news" pic.twitter.com/NpfQFplwe8
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 15, 2019
White House visits from the NFL and NBA champions have become either rare or nonexistent since Trump took office, but Stanley Cup winners have been a constant. MLB champions have also continued to visit, but some players and staff have declined to attend, including many stars from the 2018 Boston Red Sox and the team's manager.
