Two Sons Born to Vancouver Canuck Hockey Players
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Professional hockey player Darcy Hordichuk is a first-time father, having welcomed son Braden Walker Hordichuk on Sunday, February 22nd. Not due until March 8th, baby boy’s early arrival caught everyone off-guard! “The team was in Ottawa when I found out that I needed to go home, so I had to fly out that day after I received the call,” Darcy, a 28-year-old forward for the Vancouver Canucks, blogs on the team’s official site. “It just happened so fast…it’s definitely a little shocking.” Regardless, wife Lisa was a trooper throughout her twelve hour labor, Darcy shares.
“I was in the room the whole time with her mom and sister and it was definitely an experience. At times you feel helpless while your wife is there giving [birth] and I couldn’t really do much to help her out but I think I did my share, my hand is sore from massaging her so much…She handled it very well.”
Braden — weighing in at 6 pounds, 2 ounces — is also thriving. “He’s…healthy, and that’s all we could want,” Darcy says. For now, the couple are caring for their son in shifts but Darcy admits he isn’t above playing “the hockey card” to beg off now and again. “As soon as I get home, it’s my turn again and I don’t mind at all,” he adds. “I think I’ve held one baby in my life and now I’m holding this guy all the time, trying to learn and trying to be a father.” He’s also thinking ahead…to a possible career in hockey! Jokes Darcy,
“He didn’t have clenched fists when he came out, but we’re going to make him a lefty so we’ll tie his right hand behind him and see if we can get him to throw lefts right off the bat. That seems to surprise guys quite a bit. Can you imagine a baby actually doing that?”
Braden wasn’t the only new arrival for the Canucks last week, however. Darcy’s teammate Jason LaBarbera welcomed son Ryder on Wednesday, February 25th; He is the first child for the 29-year-old goaltender and his girlfriend Kodette.
Sources: Canucks Blogs and Canada.com
Thanks to CBB reader Brooklyn.