President Barack Obama called the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday with his congratulations for winning the Stanley Cup.

The president spoke to coach Joel Quenneville, owner Rocky Wirtz and captain Jonathan Toews, praising them for their leadership.

"The President added that he looks forward to welcoming the team back to the White House to celebrate their victory," the Blackhawks said.

The Chicago Blackhawks took the Stanley Cup north Tuesday, to Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.

One day after winning the trophy for the third time in six seasons, with a 2-0 victory in Game 6 at United Center against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Blackhawks players and coaches posed on the pitcher's mound along with the Cubs prior to their game against the Cleveland Indians.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon lifted the Cup over his head before Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews threw out the ceremonial first pitch to first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

The conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final also helped finalize the order to the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft to be held June 26-27 at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla.

After the NHL Draft Lottery set the order for the first 14 picks, the end of the Stanley Cup Playoffs established the next 16 selections.

The order is determined in two parts. First are non-division winners eliminated in the first two rounds placed in inverse order of regular-season standings. Then come division winners who lost in the first two rounds in inverse order of regular-season point totals.

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TRENDING:

Lightning's Kucherov skates, probable for Game 6
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov took the morning skate Monday and could play in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks.



Three keys for Lightning, Blackhawks to win Game 6
As the Chicago Blackhawks try to win the Stanley Cup and the Tampa Bay Lightning aim to force a deciding seventh game, NHL.com has three keys for each in Game 6.

PHOTO: Stanley Cup goes through airport security
The Stanley Cup made it through airport security this morning on its way to Chicago and United Center, where the Chicago Blackhawks can win it against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Final (tweet via @keeperofthecup).

NEWS:

Red Wings have depth to explore trades: report
Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said the team could look to make a trade in order to fill some of its needs.

Capitals sign Grubauer to two-year contract
The Washington Capitals have re-signed goalie Philipp Grubauer to a two-year, one-way contract.

Penguins sign Andersen to one-year contract
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed defenseman Niclas Andersen to a one-year contract.

Stars sign Jokipakka to two-year contract
The Dallas Stars have signed defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka to a two-year contract extension.

Dallas names Reese new goaltending coach
The Dallas Stars have named Jeff Reese their new goaltending goach. Previous goaltending coach Mike Valley will remain with the organization.

FEATURES:

Blackwood, Vladar among top goaltenders for draft
Barrie's Mackenzie Blackwood and Daniel Vladar of the Czech Republic are among the top goaltenders eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft.

OHL draft snub Cirelli emerges as Memorial Cup hero
Passed over twice in the Ontario Hockey League draft, Anthony Cirelli emerged into a Memorial Cup hero.

Have #FOMO? Simply want to catch up after a busy day? No worries, NHL.com has you covered. Welcome to our new ICYMI blog, a daily digest of all news, features and blogs we publish. Consider it your one-stop shop for all written NHL.com content.

TRENDING:

Lightning goaltender Bishop possible for Game 5
Goaltender Ben Bishop did not practice Friday for the Tampa Bay Lightning and his status for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final remains uncertain.

Preview: Blackhawks, Lightning resume tight series
The 2015 Stanley Cup Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning is already one of the closest series in Stanley Cup Playoff history, and there's no reason to think that will change in Game 5 at Amalie Arena on Saturday.

NEWS:

Coyotes issue statement regarding legal actions taken against City of Glendale
The Arizona Coyotes issued the following statement today regarding legal actions taken against the City of Glendale.

FEATURES:

High-scoring Lightning trying to win Cup with defense
The high-scoring Tampa Bay Lightning, who led the League in scoring during the regular season, are trying to win the Stanley Cup with defense.

Garrison: Off days provide chance to relax with family
In his latest blog for NHL.com, Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison talks about the importance of rest and family time in between games in the Stanley Cup Final.

Lightning decided on Vasilevskiy before playoffs
Andrei Vasilevskiy, now thrust into the heart of the biggest story of the Final, spent much of the 2014-15 season as the No. 3 goaltender on Tampa Bay's depth chart.

Farrish: Fatigue a factor for Blackhawks defensemen
For additional insight into the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks during the Stanley Cup Final, NHL.com has enlisted the help of Dave Farrish to break down the action. Farrish will be checking in throughout the series.



Canucks prospect Virtanen gets first pro look in Utica
Vancouver Canucks prospect Jake Virtanen is getting his first taste of the American Hockey League as the Utica Comets compete for the 2015 Calder Cup.

Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon will approach the 2015 NHL Draft with an open mind, he said Thursday on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio.

The Panthers have nine picks in the draft, including No. 11 in the first round.

"We have a list of candidates that if they all go before 11 we might think about doing something to gain more picks or prospects or assets by moving back," Tallon said. "Some teams have expressed interest in moving up. Other teams ahead of us have asked us if we're interested in moving up. It'll come down to draft day and sometimes these decisions are made at the table, minutes or seconds before it's your turn to make the call. You never know. You've got to be ready for all circumstances."

Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman Jakub Zboril, a projected first-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, has been invited to join the Czech Republic's under-20 national junior team in two events this summer.

Zboril, No. 12 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of the top North American skaters eligible for the 2015 draft, will first participate in the country's U-20 summer camp in Kravare, Czech Republic, June 16-21. He'll then take part in the U-20 Three Nations tournament in Calgary, July 28-Aug. 10.

Have #FOMO? Simply want to catch up after a busy day? No worries, NHL.com has you covered. Welcome to our new ICYMI blog, a daily digest of all news, features and blogs we publish. Consider it your one-stop shop for all written NHL.com content.

TRENDING:

Lightning goalie Bishop uncertain for Game 5
It is unknown if Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop can play Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Matchup: Inside Game 4 for Vasilevskiy, Crawford
Kevin Woodley breaks down the Game 4 performances of Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford and Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy.



Penguins forward Dupuis cleared to take contact
Pittsburgh Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis has been cleared to work out and take contact.

NEWS:

Sabres' Hodgson remains buyout candidate: report
Buffalo Sabres center Cody Hodgson remains a candidate for a contract buyout, Sabres general manager Tim Murray said Thursday, according to Buffalo radio station WGR-550.

Hurricanes sign Wallmark to three-year contract
The Carolina Hurricanes have signed forward Lucas Wallmark to a three-year contract.

Jets agree to terms with forward De Leo
The Winnipeg Jets have agreed to terms with forward Chase De Leo on a three-year, entry-level contract.

USA Hockey names Jim Smith as new president
Jim Smith was unanimously elected the fifth president of USA Hockey during the organization's Board of Directors four-day annual congress in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Islanders announce ECHL affiliation with Missouri
The New York Islanders have reached an affiliation agreement with the Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.

FEATURES:

Blackhawks enter Game 5 still seeking complete effort
The Chicago Blackhawks got the win they needed in Game 4 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final, tying the best-of-7 series, but that doesn't mean they're pleased with the performance.

Desjardins: Blackhawks must keep focus on checking
Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Desjardins tells NHL.com in his latest blog that they must continue to focus on their checking game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Garrison: Tampa Bay can build on Game 4 loss
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison will be blogging for NHL.com periodically throughout the Stanley Cup Final. In this edition, he talks about the Lightning's 2-1 loss against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4.

Lightning look on bright side despite Game 4 loss
The Tampa Bay Lightning were looking at the bright side of life after a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final evened the best-of-7 series at two victories each.

Blackhawks' Saad continues to shine in Cup Final
Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Saad has eight goals in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including one in each of the past two games of the Final.

Quenneville's line changes pay off for Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville changed his lines and they were on the ice for each goal in a 2-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.



Cup Final reunites Maine alumni Bishop, Darling
Ben Bishop once recruited Scott Darling to the University of Maine as his successor; now the two tall goalies meet at opposite ends in the Stanley Cup Final.

Konecny used hockey to develop socially, physically
Ottawa 67s forward Travis Konecny credits hockey for helping him develop socially as well as physically.

Youngstown Phantoms forward Kyle Connor, No. 13 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American prospects eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft, earned United States Hockey League All-Academic honors on Thursday.

Connor, who recently took part in the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, earned an A average while attending Austintown Fitch High School in Ohio. He maintained those grades while also leading the USHL with 80 points in 56 regular-season games. His 34 goals and 46 assists each ranked second in the league, and he led the USHL with nine game-winning goals on the way to being named USHL Player of the Year and Forward of the Year.

Have #FOMO? Simply want to catch up after a busy day? No worries, NHL.com has you covered. Welcome to our new ICYMI blog, a daily digest of all news, features and blogs we publish. Consider it your one-stop shop for all written NHL.com content.

TRENDING:

Lightning again mum on Bishop's status for Game 4
Similar to before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Tampa Bay Lightning weren't saying if Ben Bishop will be the starter Wednesday for Game 4.

Blackhawks' Timonen savoring chance to play in Final
After missing most of the season because of a blood clot problem, Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Kimmo Timonen will play in his first game of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final in Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

NEWS:

Statement regarding actions by the city of Glendale
The National Hockey League today released a statement regarding actions taken by the City of Glendale.

FEATURES:

Three keys for Lightning, Blackhawks to win Game 4
With the Tampa Bay Lightning two wins from the Stanley Cup and the Chicago Blackhawks trying to even the series, NHL.com has three keys to Game 4 for each team.



Bruins coach Julien meshing well with new GM
Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien said the ideas of he and the coaching staff are meshing well with what new general manager Don Sweeney wants.