Feature Story

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A hockey dad is born

By Kevin Kurtt

Let’s Play Hockey Editor

At precisely 5:06 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007, a hockey dad was born in the Twin Cities western suburbs. At least I hope that’s what happened.

You see, last week, on the second floor of the Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, I became a first-time dad as my wife, Casey, gave birth to Kieran Michael Kurtt. I must admit that hockey wasn’t exactly the first thought on my mind as I laid my eyes on my brand-new son, but I know it won’t be long before I’m out on the ice, teaching Kieran how to skate, shoot and stickhandle (hopefully better than his dad).

Thus, a hockey dad was born.

Weighing in at 6 pounds and 7 ounces, the little guy wasn’t exactly born with Zdeno Chara size, but he did come into the world with a full head of hockey hair, albeit on a cone-shaped head (do they make helmets for that?).

Like most, if not all, first-time parents, I’m full of questions and worries about my son. From diaper rash to what the heck all that crying means, I’m mostly clueless when it comes to babies. Along the same lines, questions fill my head on what it will mean to be a hockey dad.

Will Casey and I be able to afford to get Kieran into the game of hockey?

We’re not exactly raking it in with my wife’s teacher salary and my penchant for eating out, golfing and spoiling my child and dog with new toys. As hockey moms and dads know all too well, hockey is an extremely expensive sport these days. That being said, if Kieran wants to give hockey a try, we’re going to do what we can to encourage that interest. I guess I’ll be playing a little less golf in the summer from now on. Oh well, it’s not like I was getting any better anyway.

Will we need to buy a minivan to haul Kieran and his hockey gear all over the place?

I know I’m not the first dad to say this and I know I won’t be the last, but I will not be caught dead driving a minivan.

What kind of player will Kieran be?

If he’s anything like his dad, he’ll have good speed, absolutely no stickhandling ability, not much of a scoring touch, but will hustle his butt off and be a decent set-up man.

Will Kieran even want to play hockey?

I sure hope so. I’m already starting his indoctrination into the game of hockey. We’ve “watched” Gopher hockey on FSN together. Issues of Let’s Play Hockey litter the house. Photos of Mariucci Arena and the hockey version of Goldy Gopher line the walls outside his room. Mini hockey sticks are ready for him to play with when he gets a little older.

At precisely 5:06 p.m., on Oct. 30, 2007, a hockey dad was born in the Twin Cities western suburbs. I just hope mom doesn’t try to get Kieran into swimming.

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