Hockey fans are ready for some serious playoff action. The road to the Stanley Cup starts April 18, but some of the NHL’s top players are thinking more about diaper changes and middle-of-the-night feedings than hat-tricks and assists. That’s right, within weeks of the Playoffs, these athletes became dads.
So, which players are adding daddy duty to their to-do lists this April?
For the fifth season in a row, the Dallas Stars are headed to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And while the Texas team’s fans look forward to several more weeks (or hopefully months, seeing as the Stanley Cup Final isn’t until June) of gameplay, the on-ice action isn’t the only reason this team is making headlines.
Stars’ defenseman Nils Lundkvist missed three games before the team’s finale against the Buffalo Sabres. But it wasn’t the typical sports injury that kept this player off the ice. As it turns out, he needed some time off for the birth of his first child. Lundkvist and wife, Malin Noren, welcomed their newborn son earlier this April.
The Dallas Stars posted a celebratory Instagram post, sending well-wishes to the new family of three. Along with congrats from the team, the Stars also shared a video asking Lundkvist, “How was your stay away from the game?” Lundkvist responded, “Obviously, some crazy days. We had our first kid, so it’s been unreal. Yeah, super super fun, and super exciting.”
Of course, the Stars player didn’t take all the credit. He continued, “My wife was incredible. And we were super excited about our baby boy.”
Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk
After two back-to-back championships (in 2024 and 2025), the Florida Panthers didn’t make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And that means Matthew Tkachuk will have more time for his family’s new addition—daughter Camille “Millie” Tkachuk with wife Ellie Tkachuk.
The 28-year-old second-generation player (his dad is NFL Hall of Famer Keith Tkachuk) and 2026 Olympic hockey team member told the Miami Heraldof his daughter’s birth, “It was the greatest day of my life.” He praised his new baby and wife, continuing, “Millie and mom are rock stars. We’re back home now, and once we got back home, it really hit, and it’s been absolutely amazing.”
Boston Bruins David Pastrnak
Boston’s Bruins are set to play the Sabres in the Eastern Conference 1st Round. But this isn’t the only good news for team member David Pastrnak. The 29-year-old and wife Rebecca just announced the birth of their daughter in March.
Per Coach Sturm, David Pastrnak and his wife, Rebecca, have welcomed a baby daughter. Congratulations to the Pastrnaks!David is expected to play tonight.
— x - Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 12, 2026The new little girl is the couple's third child, who has a toddler daughter, Freya. Pastrnak and his wife sadly lost their first child, son Viggo Rohl, in 2021.
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