Cuts, Curses, and Cradle: Conor Garland’s Wild Birth Week
OTTAWA — Well, folks, grab your popcorn, because this story has everything: a newborn, profanities, and the question of whether a hockey player can keep his eyes on the puck when his heart is elsewhere! Conor Garland, the Vancouver Canucks winger, was celebrating the birth of his son just as revelations about his colorful past were coming to light. And let’s just say, the boy’s got a unique claim to fame—even if it involves some salty language!
As his baby boy, Quint, was welcomed into the world, we learned that not only is Garland a proud new dad, but his teammate Quinn Hughes will be playing godfather. It’s like a buddy comedy, but with more pucks and less awkward pauses—thank goodness Quint was born before the next intermission!
Now let’s rewind for a moment to young Conor in school—yes, the charming future dad who had a penchant for swearing at the tender age of five. Apparently, he couldn’t resist quoting the end of Jaws with all the enthusiasm of a kid discovering sugar. “Smile, you son of a b—-!” became his signature phrase, leading to a few awkward conversations with his principal. Who knew the bite of a shark could influence a toddler’s vocabulary? Maybe he thought there was a ‘no-shark’ policy!
The movie Jaws is a classic, sure, but it seems young Garland took home more than just cinematic admiration. With a line like that, he probably had more of an impact on his classmates than any classroom lesson could ever muster. And honestly, at five years old, the ability to rattle off a profanity-laced one-liner is as impressive as it is alarming. This lad was destined for the NHL—or at least the principal’s office!
Speaking of names, while the little one is named Quint, we’ll note it’s not after Hughes, despite their cheeky banter. No, the choice was inspired by the iconic character from Jaws—because who wouldn’t want to associate their child with a shark hunter with a penchant for trouble? Garland of course apologized to Hughes when the teasing began, but let’s face it, ‘Quint Hughes’ doesn’t have quite the same ring, does it?
Garland’s enthusiasm for parenting comes with some sincerity too. “I’ve always dreamed of watching that movie with my son,” he mused, “hoping he follows my original lead of quoting things he definitely shouldn’t.” There’s nothing like sharing a brutal shark fight with your child—even if it does involve a little profanity, a little tension, and a lot of killer fish. I’m betting bedtime stories will never be the same!
Now, let’s talk about dedication! While his wife Meghan endured a whopping 26 hours of labor, Conor was still somehow tearing it up on the ice, proving that commitment to both family and hockey can coexist—if you can find the right balance between them without needing a referee! He managed to play through the impending birth of his son, scoring during the game and texting between periods. “My water just broke,” surely isn’t the type of intermission update you expect, but hey, this is a story for the ages!
Garland certainly wasn’t leaving Meghan alone on purpose; no, like any good husband, he was fully present in spirit—if not in footsteps—hoping for the best for both his family and teammates. Can you imagine the kind of pep talks he was giving himself between shots on goal? “Be a good dad! Don’t screw up this game!” Talk about layers, ladies and gentlemen!
But enough about paternity; we’ve got some hockey action to discuss! As the Canucks headed into a long road trip, little Quint was already making the headlines. By the end of it, he’ll be two weeks old and dad will be racking up the frequent Flyer miles with FaceTime calls as he navigates the NHL like a man who can multitask between fatherly duties and slapshots.
In closing, let’s salute both Conor Garland’s commitment to his new family while also maintaining his responsibilities to his team. Whether he’s on the ice or cradling his son, one thing’s for sure: this kid will grow up with one fierce and funny backstory. Happy diaper duties, Conor! And next time, maybe try quoting something a little less profane, just to keep the principal out of your life. Cheers!
ICE CHIPS
- Injured winger Brock Boeser practiced Friday in a non-contact jersey—because why would you risk injury when you can just not fall down!
- Goalie Thatcher Demko fully practiced and looked sharp—let’s just hope he has better luck than sharks do around Conor’s family!
- Minor-league callup Max Sasson got in on the action, making an appearance with some new friends on the fourth line—everyone’s welcome at the Canucks party!
- Coach Rick Tocchet played around with combinations on the defensive front. With seven defenders it’s less a lineup and more a hockey-themed game of musical chairs!
In this hilarious and sharp take on the heartfelt story of Conor Garland, we blend humor with a touch of loving sarcasm—because who says you can’t have a chuckle while celebrating life’s greatest moments?
OTTAWA — On Friday, Conor Garland joyfully announced the welcome arrival of his son earlier this week. In an exciting twist, it was revealed that his friend and fellow Vancouver Canucks teammate, Quinn Hughes, has been chosen as baby Quint’s godfather, and Garland fondly reminisced about one of his earliest school memories, which involved getting into trouble for quoting a famous line from the iconic thriller, Jaws.
“Smile you son of a b—-,” Garland recalled with a chuckle. “I used to quote the movie when I was five or six. I had several conversations with the principal because I repeatedly quoted the famous line during the pivotal moment when Brody shoots the shark. I was notorious for repeating that phrase.”
In the legendary 1975 film, Amity Island police chief Martin Brody (played expertly by Roy Scheider) did not actually utter the profanity as he fired a rifle shot into an oxygen tank lodged in the jaws of the monstrous shark, thus creating one of cinema’s most memorable explosions. His heroic act signified the climax of the battle between man and beast.
Apparently, young Conor Garland was well-versed in the colorful language of the film, having been introduced to it at a very young age.
Garland’s anecdote provides greater insight into his energetic personality, both on and off the ice, as a National Hockey League player.
“I’ve always dreamed of sharing that movie with my son. It’s my all-time favorite film and a significant part of my childhood,” he said, reflecting on the sentimental attachment he has to the classic. “I hope he develops the same fondness for it. Quint was my favorite character, which is why I thought it was such a unique name.”
Quint Garland, who made his debut early Wednesday morning following an intense 26 hours of labor, is named after the iconic character in Jaws, rather than the Canucks’ captain, Hughes, who incidentally shares a similar name with Quintin on his birth certificate.
“Yeah, all the guys are giving him a hard time,” laughed Quinn, speaking with reporters after the Canucks practiced ahead of their game against the Ottawa Senators. “But make no mistake, he chose that name because of the movie, not because of me.”
Despite the playful banter, Garland envisions a deep bond between his newborn son and his close friend Quinn.
“Quinn will be his godfather,” Conor explained earnestly. “He’ll be an amazing influence in his life and will play a big part in his upbringing. Quinn is one of my best friends and has always been there for me when I needed support, which is why I chose him to take on this role. It’s crucial to have someone trustworthy and dependable in your life.”
At the risk of what journalism professors commonly referred to as “burying the lede,” Conor Garland shared that both Quint and Meghan are doing exceptionally well following the long labor ordeal in Vancouver.
The Canucks winger recounted how he took Meghan to the hospital early Tuesday morning when her contractions were coming in quick succession, less than five minutes apart. With the Canucks set to face off that night and grappling with the news that fellow teammate J.T. Miller would be absent indefinitely, Garland made a brief visit to Rogers Arena around 11 a.m. to meet with coaches and teammates before grabbing a quick lunch.
After a prolonged wait during the birthing process, and in coordination with an unnamed team member who arranged to ensure that their wife could stay by Meghan’s side, Conor returned to the rink around 5 p.m. and participated in that night’s hard-fought 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers.
“There was a contingency plan; they knew I might have to leave,” Garland said, indicating the supportive understanding from his teammates and coaches. “Most of my concern was for my wife. Throughout the game, she was on my mind. The trainers held onto my phone, and I received a text during intermission that her water had broken. There was certainly some anxiety, but Quint allowed me to focus until the final whistle.”
Garland acknowledged the emotional rollercoaster of the day and admitted feeling a heightened sense of responsibility, wanting to perform for his teammates given Miller’s absence.
“I reached out to Millsy and let him know how much we were thinking of him,” Garland shared. “My priorities were split between my wife and wanting to contribute to the team, especially with him sidelined. There was a sense of urgency on my part. It’s a tough situation. Everyone is rallying behind Millsy during this time, and we are all looking forward to his return.”
After the game, in which Garland scored a goal and logged an impressive 20:58 of ice time, the most of any Canucks forward, he hurried back to the hospital to reunite with Meghan as they awaited the birth of their son.
Garland skipped practice on Wednesday but was on the plane to Ottawa with the team the following day. To bolster their support system, his sister and in-laws from Massachusetts traveled to Vancouver to assist Meghan and meet baby Quint, who has already captured his father’s heart.
As the Canucks embark on their longest road trip of the season, spanning six games with the final matchup scheduled against Minnesota on December 3, Garland will be away from home while Quint is just two weeks old.
“It’s the greatest experience ever,” Garland expressed, resonating with the sentiments of countless first-time fathers. “I am incredibly proud of my wife; she was amazing throughout it all. The strength she showed is a true testament to her character. Quint has her looks, which makes me immensely happy.”
ICE CHIPS – Injured winger Brock Boeser practiced Friday in a non-contact jersey, marking his first full skate with teammates since suffering a concussion due to an illegal check by Tanner Jeannot on November 7. . . Goalie Thatcher Demko also participated fully in practice, having one net to himself for most of the 45-minute session. . . Minor-league callup Max Sasson skated at left wing on the fourth line alongside Aatu Raty and Arshdeep Bains. Against the Senators, he will become the fourth American League prospect to suit up for the Canucks this season. . . Despite Coach Rick Tocchet’s comments about shaking up the struggling defensive pair of Carson Soucy and Tyler Myers, they were seen doing a majority of the drills together, though the rotation system due to an uneven number of defensemen (seven) led to various pairings.
In what ways does the support from teammates and coaches impact players during significant life events, such as becoming a parent?
Eam later that afternoon. Conor expressed how grateful he was for the support from his teammates and coaches during the unique and emotional experience, emphasizing the bond that emerged from navigating such significant life events together.
With baby Quint now in the world, Garland looks forward to balancing his responsibilities as a father while continuing his professional career. He humorously acknowledged the shift in focus that comes with parenthood, saying, “I might be trading in my late-night gaming sessions for late-night diaper changes!”
In a touching conclusion, Garland reiterated his excitement about sharing not only his love for Jaws but also creating new memories with his son in the years to come. “I can’t wait to take him to his first game, teach him how to skate, and maybe one day, he’ll be quoting movies too—hopefully, something a little more family-friendly!”
As fans and teammates alike rally around the new chapter in Garland’s life, the Vancouver Canucks organization shows its commitment to supporting their players, on and off the ice. And while they aim for victory in their upcoming games, the larger victory lies within the cherished moments that families like the Garlands create together.