BOSTON — Morgan Geekie returned to the Boston Bruins after welcoming his son, Max. He left the previous game against the New York Rangers when his wife, Emma, went into labor, missing their victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins shortly after.
Emma attended the Saturday game before heading to the hospital for delivery. With another child at home, Geekie felt the excitement and challenge of balancing family and hockey. He shared his thoughts after a morning skate, saying, “It’s been on my mind a lot, but my wife’s been amazing.”
Geekie is currently leading the Bruins with 25 goals this season. In his last game, he played briefly before leaving to support his wife. “When he left the other day, the guys cheered for him,” said Bruins coach Marco Sturm. “We all know how important family is.”
Despite his recent dry spell, not scoring in nine games, the Bruins have been on a winning streak. Geekie remains optimistic about his performance. “I hope this new dad boost helps,” he said. “But what matters is the team is winning. We just want to keep this momentum going.”
Recent statistics from the NHL show that new fathers often experience a surge in performance after the birth of a child. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “dad effect,” suggests that players can find renewed focus and motivation.
With the Bruins doing well as they approach the Olympic break, Geekie hopes to contribute to the team’s success. “We’re finding ways to win, and that’s what counts right now,” he concluded.
For more insight on how personal milestones can impact sports performance, check out this Harvard Business Review article on work-life balance in high-pressure environments.
