The Capitals starting netminder put everything on hold as a routine check-up turned into the delivery of his son.
The Capitals starting netminder put everything on hold as a routine check-up turned into the delivery of his son.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — Thursday started off like any other day for Darcy Kuemper. He'd wrapped up his final Washington Capitals practice before opening night and made his way back home to regroup and take his wife, Sydney, for a routine check-up. The rest of the night was supposed to be simple: a nice meal and a good night's sleep before opening the 2023-24 season on Friday.
But that went out the window when the check-up turned into a trip to the hospital as the Kuempers were informed that it was time to deliver.
"It's amazing. It's the best day of your life," Kuemper said. "It kind of snuck up on us. The day sneaks up on everyone as much as you prepare for it. When it's time to go, it's time to go."
The Kuempers made their way to the hospital for delivery on Thursday night, and through the chaos, the 33-year-old netminder still had his team and goalie p[partner in mind. He texted the coaching staff, then his goalie partner and good friend Charlie Lindgren, letting him know he would likely be starting Friday's opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins as his wife was going into labor.
"The team was amazing. It's a whirlwind for everyone," Kuemper said. "I wanted to let Charlie know obviously to let him prepare and reached out to the coaches right away... they were nothing but supportive. It was awesome to get the support from that side, and they were like, 'Just focus on your family.' That was really nice to hear."
Lindgren said that Kuemper had been giving him updates over the course of the final 10 days to let him know that it could happen at any time, which let the No. 2 stay prepared in case he had to start.
"I got a really good goalie partner. He let me know... says how good a teammate he is. He's got a baby coming, his first baby, and he's thinking about me," Lindgren said.
After a few hours, the Kuempers welcomed their first child, a son.
"It wasn't too bad. Just happy everyone's healthy and we're so blessed to have a beautiful baby boy," Kuemper said.
So far, it's been a life-changing experience for the 6-foot-5 netminder. His first task was pushing a stroller for the first time, and since then, it's all been about learning the ropes as fast as he can.
"Don't bump into anything," he joked. "Going home is a special day. They don't give you a user manual, though; it's kind of on your own, but it's been a lot of gun just figuring it all out on the fly."
Luckily, the majority of his teammates in D.C. are fathers and are happy to help him out.
"It's great to have so many little ones... it makes it that much more special," Trevor van Riemsdyk said.
Kuemper's teammates welcomed him back with stick taps as he returned to practice on Sunday after missing Friday's opener due to the birth. And for Lindgren, it was an exciting moment to share with No. 35.
"I mean, you're just kind of waiting for that big moment, so there's a lot of suspense and anxiousness and all that and waiting... he said it's the best thing in the world when I talked to him this morning," Lindgren said. "He's feeling very, very blessed. Happy to be a father and his wife's doing well, baby's doing well, so that's really all he can ask for. It's good seeing him again, seeing the smile on his face. Papa Kuemps now, I'm really, really happy for him," Lindgren said.
As for Kuemper, he still feels like himself, just with one big responsibility.
"Not really [much different] so far. Now you're a dad. You got a little guy to take care of," he grinned. "It's been a lot of fun so far. I'm looking forward to the rest of it."