Rachel Barkley
The Carolina Hurricanes had a full plate as they prepared for a tough game against a Philadelphia Flyers team with their backs against the wall and a chance to stamp their ticket for the Eastern Conference Finals. However, for one player, there was something else on his mind and an incredibly important place he needed to be.
Sean Walker, the Hurricanes’ second-pairing defenseman, was far from Philadelphia the morning of Game 4. Instead, he was in the air on his way back to Raleigh.
His wife, Taylor, was expecting. And it just so happened that their firstborn child was soon to arrive.
“She called me at, like, 1:00 AM – I was still up, and she said her water broke,” Walker told the media after the game. “So, I called ‘Brownie’ right away, and thankfully, there was a 6:00 AM flight.”
‘Brownie’, or rather, Michael Brown, is the Hurricanes’ Manager of Team Services: the man behind the team’s travel and logistics. Walker arrived in time for the birth of his daughter, with airplane wheels touching back down in Philadelphia at 2:00 PM. The Hurricanes’ owner, Tom Dundon, had chartered a private jet back so he wouldn’t miss the game.
“It was kind of like one of the easiest and hardest games I’ve maybe ever played, if that makes sense,” Walker said. “You know, you just kind of live in the moment – running on no sleep, I ate my pregame meal in the hospital cafeteria.
“Yeah, it’s just crazy. But you just show up, and the guys were amazing. Everybody, team services, the whole organization, from the owner down, really made it possible for me to be there and get back in time.”
In Game 4, Walker had the second-most minutes among Hurricanes skaters, with 23:13 of ice time, and was tied first for the Hurricanes in hits, with three. He also registered two shots on net and a takeaway.
Of course, being able to close out the series sooner rather than later was a joy he met with gratitude as he looks toward reuniting with his family.
“I didn’t want to get on the boys and tell them we better win tonight,” he said through laughter. “I’m really appreciative everybody dug in – and the sweep’s huge for everybody, but to take this time to just be with my family is going to be really special.”
Congratulations to both Sean and Taylor!
