During a celebratory event at the White House on Thursday, Donald Trump took the opportunity to reignite his playful rivalry with Canada while honoring the NHL’s Florida Panthers. The Panthers, the reigning Stanley Cup champions, were hosted by the president for the second year in a row to commemorate their victory. As is customary with American sports teams, this event was meant to celebrate their success. However, Trump, 79, couldn’t resist making a cheeky remark about Canada, harking back to the competitive spirit he showcased during the Four Nations hockey tournament nearly a year ago.

“You’ve kept the Stanley Cup away from Canada for the 32nd year,” Trump quipped, playfully highlighting Canada’s prolonged dry spell in their beloved sport. He continued, “We have a bit of a competition with Canada. They’re fantastic people, though. Truly great.” This statement was met with applause. “We’re outperforming Canada, but that’s alright, isn’t it? We want them to do well, and they will,” Trump added. The Florida Panthers had defeated the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Finals for the second consecutive year, further extending Canada’s winless streak since the Montreal Canadiens last clinched the cup in the 1992-93 season.

This wasn’t Trump’s first attempt to stir the pot in the long-standing hockey rivalry between the U.S. and Canada. The tension between the two nations, often reflected in their fierce hockey competition, was exacerbated last February during the Four Nations Face-Off. The rivalry turned sour amid escalating political tensions, as Trump had threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports. He also jabbed at Canada by referring to its former Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, as a “governor” and jokingly dubbing Canada as the “51st state.”

Both the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ and ‘O Canada’ were booed by opposing American and Canadian fans when played ahead of the clashes between the USA and Canada. Trump’s latest sports-fueled jibe comes less than a month before the Winter Olympics kick off in Milan Cortina. The sporting extravaganza, which kicks off on February 6, is expected to see the US and Canada – both the men’s and women’s teams – face off for gold yet again. During the Panthers’ Stanley Cup celebration, Trump also gushed over the NHL stars’ strapping physiques and good looks.

‘Good-looking people, young beautiful people, I hate them,’ the president joked, alluding to the players stealing his spotlight. ‘You hate standing here with all this power behind you. But I got power too. It’s called the United States military.’ The team made the president smile with a gift of a golden hockey stick, a present that would fit in well, given the White House’s new dazzling decor.

While delivering his speech, Trump spotted the glistening hockey stick and admitted that he wanted it. He joked that as president, he could take it if he wanted to. Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk gave Trump the stick and noted how it would be handy in a game to slash opposing players. The president smiled and repeated the player, ‘Good for slashing,’ he said. Pictured: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.