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Obama honors Blackhawks for Stanley Cup hat trick

WASHINGTON (AP) Today at the White House, President Barack Obama honored his hometown Chicago Blackhawks for their third Stanley Cup win in six years.

Obama said his presidency appears to have brought the team good luck and he’s hoping they’ll claim one more championship before he leaves office.

Obama noted that seven players participated in all three championships. But he paid particular tribute to “two unsung heroes.” Goalie Scott Darling (see video above) and defenseman Kimmo Timonen, who overcame blood clots to hoist the cup at age 40.

The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. Obama calls it one of the most dominant stretches in professional sports.

“It is always fun to have the Stanley Cup here,” Obama said, per the Chicago Tribune. “It truly is the best trophy in sports. I’ll admit I was hoping you’d give me a day with it this time around. Before I was President, I just want to point out ... the Blackhawks had gone almost half a century without seeing this thing. Now you’ve got the hat trick. So I think it’s pretty clear the kind of luck I’ve brought to this team.”

The team presented Obama with a parking pass to United Center in Chicago. Obama called it the best gift he’s ever gotten at the White House.