Seguin ready, grateful for adversities of Stanley Cup playoff chase
Tyler Seguin missed 58 games for the Dallas Stars due to injury, but had a silver lining in spending time with his newborn daughter, Wren Katherine.
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Tyler Seguin has plenty to be grateful for recently
The season started as one of the most challenging of Seguin’s career. The 33-year-old quickly recorded 20 points in the Star’s first 23 games, but his momentum was halted in early December when he underwent surgery to repair a hip impingement and a torn labrum in his left hip.
“With any injury, but especially the long ones, there’s a physical and mental side to them,” Seguin told NHLPA.com. “It’s tough missing out on what you love to do.”
There was, however, a silver lining during his time away from the game. Jan. 16, Seguin and his wife, Kate, welcomed their first child, a daughter named Wren Katherine.
The couple shared the happy news – and several heartwarming photos – on Instagram.
“Wren is three months old now – it’s been pretty incredible seeing her growth and developmental changes every day,” said Seguin. “I’m loving when she recognizes my voice and seeing her smile.”
Now just 11 regular-season games shy of the 1,000 NHL games played, the second overall pick of the 2010 NHL Draft is fully embracing fatherhood.
“It’s a crazy feeling to have so much love for a little human that hasn’t even spoken a word yet. Every bit of fatherhood has given me so much joy.”
There is another big reason for Seguin to feel joy these days – he’s back on the ice with the Dallas Stars, just in time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After missing 58 games, Seguin returned for the Stars’ on April 16 for a regular-season matchup in Nashville. The six-time NHL All-Star logged 14:48 of ice time, notching an assist and registering three shots on goal.
“It felt great being back in game action with the guys,” he said. “It all comes to a head when you’re finally back out there and getting to do what you love.”
A Stanley Cup champion with the Boston Bruins in 2011, Seguin – traded to Dallas in a multi-player deal in 2013 – is a welcome presence in a depleted Stars lineup, currently missing key players Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen due to injury.
In over 134 playoff games, Seguin has tallied 25 goals and 71 points, including a memorable OT game-winner for Boston in Game 6 of the First Round in 2012.
The Stars, back-to-back Western Conference finalists, opened their First Round series against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.
“With this group, I’m really looking forward to the emotions and adversities that playoffs bring and overcoming it together. If you’ve won a playoff series or gone to the end you know what it’s like.”
For Seguin, just getting the chance to chase Stanley Cup glory again is meaningful.
“Having a group of men after one goal – there’s just nothing better than playoff hockey.”