The Chicago Blackhawks were feted at the White House Thursday, 18 February, for their third Stanley Cup victory in six years.

SOUNDBITE (English): Barack Obama, President of the United States:

"Thank you. Thank you everybody. Thank you.Everybody have a seat, have a seat. For the four, for the third time as president - I was getting ahead of myself, I almost said fourth - I get to say give it up for the Stanley Cup champs from my home town, the Chicago Blackhawks! It is always fun to have the Stanley Cup here. 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 where I could just ... Before I was president, I just want to point out, you 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. And, by the way, we've got a state dinner with Canada coming up so we may just leave it right in the middle of the room, just to gloat a little bit, just to gloat a little bit."

SOUNDBITE (English): Barack Obama, President of the United States:

"Three titles in six years, conference finalists in five out of seven years, one of the best records in hockey this year as well. Each year that target on their back grows a little bit bigger. Each year the salary cap makes it a little tougher to keep this group together. But each year the Hawks keep on winning. It is, like I said, a tribute to the front office. It is also, by the way, a tribute to the head of scouting, who just told me that he could help me pick my Supreme Court justice."