Lightning's Nikita Kucherov Earns Bud Light Endorsement After Shirtless Presser

Tim Daniels @@TimDanielsBRFeatured Columnist IVJuly 9, 2021

TAMPA, FL - JULY 7: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning hoists the Stanley Cup overhead after the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens in Game Five to win the best of seven game series 4-1 during the Stanley Cup Final of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on July 7, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)

Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images

Bud Light announced Friday it has signed Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov to an endorsement contract after he drank the company's beer during his now-viral shirtless press conference after the NHL team won its second straight Stanley Cup title on Wednesday night.

Bud Light @budlight
He may not have a shirt, but he’s got a contract with us. Welcome to the team <a href="https://twitter.com/86Kucherov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@86Kucherov</a>!<br><br>There will be no press conferences for this announcement. <a href="https://t.co/u2j0czHahc">pic.twitter.com/u2j0czHahc</a>

Kucherov delivered some brutally honest postgame remarks in wake of the championship celebration, most notably taking aim at fans of the runner-up Montreal Canadiens for their response to a Game 4 overtime win despite the Bolts' 3-1 lead in the series at the time (NSFW language):

Sportsnet @Sportsnet
"The fans in Montreal acted like they won the Stanley Cup last game. Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? Their final was last round."<br><br>Just an incredible press conference from Nikita Kucherov here.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ItsOn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ItsOn</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/rmaNrCQVHB">pic.twitter.com/rmaNrCQVHB</a>

The Lightning scored a 1-0 victory in Game 5 on Wednesday to close out the series. They are the NHL's first back-to-back champions since the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

Kucherov, who missed the entire 2020-21 regular season while recovering from hip surgery, didn't miss a beat when he returned for the postseason. He led all playoff scorers with 32 points (eight goals and 24 assists) in 23 games during Tampa's title run.

The 28-year-old Russian, who was equally impactful with 34 points in last year's playoffs, is a three-time All-Star and won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's MVP for the 2018-19 season.

Kucherov, a 2011 second-round pick, has averaged better than a point per game (546 points in 515 appearances) in the regular season since making his debut for Tampa in 2013.

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

The Bolts will face difficult roster decisions in the offseason as they deal with a salary-cap crunch while trying to keep as many pieces from their championship rosters together, but Bud Light's newest endorser is a lock to return for the three-peat bid.