Barack Obama honors Blackhawks for Stanley Cup hat trick

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama honored his hometown Chicago Blackhawks for their third Stanley Cup victory in six years in another visit to the White House on Thursday.

Obama said his presidency appears to have brought the team good luck and that he hopes the Blackhawks will claim one more championship before he leaves office.

The president noted that seven players participated in all three championships. He paid particular tribute to "two unsung heroes": goalieScott Darlingand defensemanKimmo Timonen, whoovercame blood clots to hoist the cup atage40.

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

The team presented Obama with a parking pass to United Center in Chicago, which he said was the best gift he has ever gotten at the White House.

Obama also joked that he would bring the Stanley Cup with him to a state dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau next week.

Trudeau responded in kind via Twitter.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.