From The Delivery Room to Playoff Hockey: Sean Walker's Wild Ride

TL;DR

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker received a FaceTime from his wife, Taylor, early Friday morning, informing him that her water had broken, just hours after the team's 3-0 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Key points

Sean Walker is a defenseman for the Carolina Hurricanes.
His wife, Taylor, went into labor during the playoffs.
The Hurricanes lead their series against the Flyers 3-0.
Walker received the news via FaceTime early Friday morning.

Mentioned in this story

Sean WalkerTaylor Walker

Carolina HurricanesPhiladelphia Flyers

It has been quite the whirlwind as of late for Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker.

It was early Friday morning, just a few hours after the Carolina Hurricanes had taken a 3-0 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers, when the 31-year-old defenseman received a FaceTime from his wife, Taylor.

Her water had broke.

Walker knew that his wife was expecting anytime now, but thought that he might have had a bit more time before the inevitable.

"She had an appointment on Thursday, and they said things are kind of getting going but weren't too worried about it," Walker said.

However, nature was ready to take its course and so the Hurricanes defenseman had only one goal in mind: making it for the birth.

Hurricanes Head of Team Service Mike Brown was able to hook Walker up with a 6 a.m. flight that same morning.

He stayed on the FaceTime with his wife the whole morning as he waited for the hours to count down, something he said was "really tough."

Luckily enough for him though, he made it in time to be with Taylor for the birth of his daughter.

"Thankfully we were able to get there in time," Walker said. "And I was there for everything. The baby gods were on my side on that one, and I got to experience it all. It was amazing — really an amazing experience.

"Mom and baby are doing amazing. I can't put into words how proud I am of her. She had to go through it for a little bit without me there. I did make it, but she was amazing. And just, it's funny, you know already how much you love your new daughter. And again, my wife is a rock star, the way she killed it, and just so proud of her. And I love them both."

Walker was able to spend the rest of the day with mom and baby, but knew that he had to get back to his team the next day for a potential series clinching Game 4.

That's where team owner Tom Dundon came in, chartering a private jet to get one of his team's top blueliners back for the action and by 2 p.m., Walker was back in Philadelphia, ready to roll for the 6 p.m. puck drop.