Blackhawks Take Stanley Cup to White House

Earlier today, President Barack Obama welcomed the Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks to the White House to celebrate the team's championship. Obama, who calls Chicago home, has had the chance to honor the Blackhawks twice during his presidency. Something he joked about in his speech.

"Since I took office, we’ve hosted a lot of championship teams — from Boston and New York; Pittsburgh and Miami. But since I’ve been President, only one team has brought a world championship to my hometown of Chicago. And now the Blackhawks have done it twice," Obama said. "Three years ago, the Hawks won their first Stanley Cup in 49 years. And keep in mind, the Cubs have been waiting for 105, so 49 might have not seemed so bad."

Before their White House visit, the Blackhawks stopped at Walter Reed Medical Center. They visited the veterans hospital to thank the men and women of the armed forces for their service in defending America.

"I love the Blackhawks, I love all my sports teams, but obviously our best team, our most important team are those folks who every day serve us in uniform and keep us free," Obama said during his remarks. "So we really just are grateful to them."

The Hawks' visit to the White House ended with the team presenting Obama with a jersey — and with the President giving some good-natured ribbing to Chicago's other sports teams.

"To the Bulls, Bears, Cubs, White Sox: I am term-limited, so you guys have got to get moving," he said. "I need to see you here soon."

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images