Giguere celebrates with newborn son
Source: AP Photo
Anaheim Ducks’ goaltender JS Giguere celebrated winning his first Stanley Cup with his wife Kristen and two month old newborn son, Maxime. Giguere actually missed the last three games in the regular season and four in the first round of the postseason due to his baby son’s poor health. Maxime was born on April 4th with a deformed right eye. The doctors were initially worried that Giguere’s son might also be blind in his left eye. After further medical testing, the doctors were able to tell Giguere that his son will be able to see out of his left eye.
Giguere’s concerns subsided considerably days after Maxime’s birth when a specialist told the couple their son does have vision in his left eye.
“It was a great relief,” said Giguere. “It’s when they checked the second eye [a preliminary exam] that we kind of fell apart.
“Knowing that his left eye is good really put things in perspective. I think he’ll be able to do whatever he sets his goal to do in life. He may have some challenges in front of him, but not even close to what it would be if both his eyes were bad.”
Source: Getty Images
If that photo doesn’t melt your heart after hearing his story, I don’t know what will.
Giguere was actually ready to return to action at the start of the playoffs, but head coach Randy Carlyle decided to start backup Ilya Bryzgalov instead. Giguere went 13-4 this postseason and had a 1.97 GAA. If he had played in the first four playoff games, Giguere probably would’ve been given another Conn Smythe.
“What happened was Bryzgalov won the first three games,†explained Carlyle. “And then I’m dumb, but not that dumb. I didn’t think I could put myself or the team in a position to put the other guy in until he faltered. And Giguere would have gotten the net at some point. He stole the net probably in the last half of the season, he earned the opportunity to be our go-to guy.
“With the issues with the family matters and the health issues with his son, you had to make a decision and it wasn’t one that went over favourably with (Giguere).â€
Once Giguere got back in, he didn’t look back, going 13-4 en route to backstopping his team to a title.
“He’s a wonderful person,†Ducks GM Brian Burke said Wednesday. “Often a goalie is in the background on a team but he’s a leader on our team. He’s as good a kid as I’ve ever had. And he works so hard. He tries to stop every puck in practice. And he’s a money goaltender. His record is clear.â€
Giguere has said that he would like to re-sign with the Ducks, but he will become an UFA on July 1st so if the Ducks can’t pay him what he desires, he may be heading elsewhere.
“I’d love to re-sign here,†Giguere said. “This is a team that’s going to be good for many years. You want to be part of a team like that. It’s well run. It well owned. It’s well coached. This would be my No. 1 pick.
“There are many reasons: I’ve got my house here, I feel very comfortable around here. My son’s doctors are all around here, at UCLA. There are many reasons why I would want to sign here. Is it going to happen? Hey — I don’t have a (crystal) ball. We’ll see.â€
For all those reasons, I’m happy that Giguere and veteran Teemu Selanne were able to win the Cup.
Source: Getty Images
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One Response to “Giguere celebrates with newborn son”
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June 12th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
It is wonderful that your son will have vision in one eye. The name of our early intervention services sounds like we only deal with blind children, but we have services for children with visual impairments birth to 21. There is so much stimulation for vision that can be done in the early years. Please ask you doctors what resources are out there for you. Sending you and your family all the best. Thanks for your terrific talent!