‘Completes Our Family’: John Tavares Re-Joins Maple Leafs in Utah After Birth of Son Tucker

HEBER CITY, Utah — John Tavares returned to the Maple Leafs on Monday after a short trip home for the birth of his fourth child, a son named Tucker, and the team noticed the energy immediately.

“He was flying out there today,” Auston Matthews said. “I mean, he’s got four kids now. It’s pretty special. We’re all so excited for him. It’s obviously really nice to have him back for this last game. He’s a huge part of this team.”

Hiller echoed the observation.

“He looked so excited to be back out here and playing. Of course, family comes first, but John loves the game. And it was really evident to see the smile on his face and how good of a practice he had.”

Tavares described the past several days as both joyous and logistically demanding. He missed the birth itself while the Leafs were on the road but made it home Friday evening.

“Just can’t say enough about my wife… everything went great, was really smooth, and then, you know, when I got home Friday evening, it was just great to embrace Tucker and him coming into the world and the newness of, you know, being a father of four, so, and just, you know, him completing our family.”

He said the name was simply one the family liked and that the baby was not named after former fan-favourite Leaf Darcy Tucker.

“We just liked it. Nothing in particular (for the name) it felt like it fit him and fit our family really well.”

Tavares was able to skate briefly at home Sunday before flying to Utah. He downplayed any difficulty focusing during the Vegas game earlier in the trip, contrasting it with the circumstances surrounding the birth of one of his daughters during the playoffs.

“It wasn’t too difficult. I think the more stressful for me was my daughter because that was during the playoffs against Tampa… This one obviously did a little bit. And you know, it’s just so hard to predict. So it was difficult not being there. But like I said, my wife was amazing.”

On the ice, the return felt natural.

“Yeah, it was awesome. You know, it was obviously family comes first and nothing more important than that. But, I love playing. I love competing. I love being with my teammates… when you’re away from it for a couple days, you know, you just get excited to get back at it. And like I’ve always said, having kids has made it more and more meaningful.”

Morgan Rielly noted that Tavares carried himself the same as always.

“He’s always the same, which is, I think, the biggest compliment you can give. So, you know, we’re lucky to have him back. We’re happy for him, and we’ll look to get him home soon.”

The Leafs practiced with the intention of getting Tavares into the circle the following day after McCabe’s birthday celebration on Monday. He’ll get that honour on Tuesday, with the club electing to hold another full skate at Delta Center rather than an optional. That will also help Tavares get fully up to speed.

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