Daily Dad News

Detroit Red Wings All-Star Jimmy Howard Enjoys Being A Dad First

January 31, 2012

Protecting the goal in hockey is one of the most important positions on the ice and new National Hockey League all-star goaltender Jimmy Howard knows all about it. The league-leading goal guardian obviously takes his duties seriously, but looks to fatherhood as the reason that drives him to excellence.

Father to a three-year old boy, James (the fourth to bear the namesake), Howard looks at hockey as an afterthought just at the sight of his son. “Everything else just sort of goes to the back burner,” Howard told Yahoo Sports.

The player said that after seeing his son in the wives’ room at Joe Louis Arena, he’s completely changed. “I’m not thinking about hockey as much as I used to. I’m not stewing over things.”

His wife Rachel helps to keep Howard balanced as well, and even says their son has a calming effect over dad. “Sometimes if Jimmy has a bad game and there’s a picture of James,” she said, “that will totally turn his mood around.”

The Detroit Red Wings have developed Howard slowly, starting him off in the minor leagues after a modest college career. The coaching staff believes in Howard, even though hockey critics rarely praise the goalie’s ability.

For Howard, he seems to take in all in stride. “It’s been quite the progress,” Howard said. “You look back on it, you see how you’ve grown and how you’ve come from an immature college kid to a, you know, young adult. I’m just sort of taking it all in stride and enjoying it.”

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