Conor Garland became a father early Wednesday morning after what the Vancouver Canucks winger called an “eventful day” for him and his wife on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old Massachusetts native spoke with the media today in Ottawa, where he rejoined his teammates at practice.
His baby boy’s name is Quintin, though that appears to be coincidental and not a nod to Canucks teammate Quinn Hughes.
But the Canucks captain did receive a special honour from the Garlands. They named Hughes their baby’s godfather, per Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre.
Newborn Quintin Garland wasn’t named for Quinn Hughes, but the Canucks captain is the godfather of Conor Garland’s new boy.
— Iain MacIntyre (@imacSportsnet) November 22, 2024
Garland said his wife began going into labour at 4 am on Tuesday, which happened to be a Canucks game day. Garland played and scored that night while his wife was still in hospital.
Such is life for a National Hockey League player and his family.
Garland said the wife of someone within the Canucks organization stayed with his wife at the hospital while he headed to Rogers Arena. He got to the rink by 5 pm and headed back to the hospital immediately after the game ended, which was before 10 pm.
Garland has left the building. He’s off to the hospital 👶
— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) November 20, 2024
“Was fortunate to have someone in the organization be very generous and have their wife stay with her. That’s something we’ll always remember, that was very nice,” Garland said.
Baby Quintin was born at 6:04 the next morning.
“Definitely kind of running on fumes,” Garland said. “Felt like I hit a wall after the game, in the hospital… it was well worth it.”
Garland will be away from his family for the next 11 days as the Canucks begin a six-game road trip on Saturday.
“You’d love to have a few more days [with the family], but that’s part of our business.”
He did say his wife is now surrounded by family, who made the trip to Vancouver to be with her.
“She has a support system at home now, so we’re in a good spot.”
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