LAS VEGAS -- Penguins coach Dan Bylsma was entering the Palms Resort and Casino and minutes from walking the red carpet on his way into the NHL Awards show today when his cell phone rang and he heard these words:

"Please hold for the President."

Bylsma had known for a couple days the call might be coming, but his thoughts at that moment weren't just about the honor of President Barack Obama offering congratulations on the Stanley Cup championship the Penguins wrapped up last Friday with a 2-1 win against Detroit in Game 7 of the final.

"My charger must have broken, so I can't charge my phone. I'm on red on my phone," Bylsma said. "The phone call came in and I was thinking, 'Oh, please don't go out. Please don't go out.' "

The battery lasted long enough for the brief conversation, one that left Bylsma beaming as he reached the other end of the red carpet and entered the Pearl Theater.

"We talked about Pittsburgh's two championships, with the Steelers [winning the Super Bowl], lamented a little bit because he was hoping Chicago could get in [the final] this year and have a chance at it, or the [Washington] Capitals," Bylsma said. "He just talked about the way the guys played, how it was an awesome thing to watch."

Bylsma was thrilled that Obama suggested a Penguins team visit to the White House in the fall was in order.

Obama deftly avoided any faux pas in pronouncing Bylsma's name. "He went with 'Coach,' " Bylsma said.

Bylsma said he has been part of games where a president attended but had never talked to one, especially a sitting president.

"Very cool," Bylsma said.