Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom believes having a baby at home will improve his performance this season.
The 33-year-old Swede stated this when asked what he did differently in the offseason to bounce back after a difficult 2022-2023.
• Also read: Is a bomb coming to the Canucks?
• Also read: Leafs: “It means a lot to me” – Fraser Minten
• Also read: [VIDÉO] Hockey: A Quebec coach is mocked by a rival in Switzerland
Markstrom maintained a save percentage of .892 and a goals-against average of 2.92. That’s a far cry from the standards he set in previous campaigns.
“I did a lot of baby talk this summer and it helped me,” said the man, whose comments were reported by the Calgary Sun newspaper. Baby Clark is a great therapist and has helped me a lot.”
Markstrom and his wife gave birth to a baby boy in late February.
“We get up early and go to bed early, but it’s amazing. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
“It’s really special for me to be a father. I lost mine in 2019 and it means a lot to me to have the same role now. I looked at him with admiration and I want my children to do the same.”
A different life
The arrival of his son allows Markstrom to put things into perspective.
“I love hockey and I want nothing more than to win all our games and stop all the pucks. But when you come home and see your child smiling, it’s a good distraction that allows you to think about other ideas,” the masked man said.
Flames goalie coach Jason LaBarbera takes the same approach as Markstrom. The former National League player had two children while wearing the pads.
“I think it puts life into perspective,” he said. […] We put a lot of stress and pressure on ourselves to be successful and we all know that having a child changes our perspective on life a little. It’s not just for ‘Marky,’ it’s for all of us.”
“You come home from work, tired and stressed, and you have a little baby who is so excited to see you… Just looking at him changes our perspective.”