The NHL star’s wife paid tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant in a Twitter post announcing the pregnancy with the hashtag #girldad. The #GirlDad hashtag has flooded social media following the sudden passing of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others. “I think now that there’s more information, it probably would have been more stressful had we been a little deeper into the pandemic than what it was with the information that was coming out then,” van Riemsdyk said in a phone interview. Play time these days comes with daughter Scarlett Everly, born May 2 with the van Riemsdyks in Minnesota. The break in his NHL career gave him more time to share in all the small moments his daughter he could have missed had the Flyers been in the midst of a playoff push. “I wouldn’t say it’s fully normal as it was before, but it’s getting to the point where I’m not thinking about it as much,” van Riemsdyk said. Van Riemsdyk, who has two younger brothers who are also hockey players — Trevor, who plays for the Carolina Hurricanes, and Brendan, who plays for the University of New Hampshire — married Lauren Tjernlund last summer in Brooklyn. The NHL star’s wife paid tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who recently died in a helicopter crash, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, in a Twitter post announcing the pregnancy. Philadelphia Flyers left winger James van Riemsdyk, 30, and wife Lauren have revealed that they are expecting a baby girl. And JVR could use the extra hand -- he’s still recovering from a broken finger that cost him the final three games before the NHL season was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic. "I'm a girl dad." She's better than I was at her age. The dress was reportedly a copy of the Stella McCartney dress Meghan wore to her reception. “I had never met him but I still felt that devastating sort of sadness,″ van Riemsdyk said after Thursday’s practice at the Skate Zone. Duncan, who was eight months pregnant at the time, says Bryant asked her about the baby. RELATED: Kobe Bryant Dies In Helicopter Crash Along With Daughter Leaving Behind His 3 Other Children. But in this case, the soon-to-be mom used it to announce the future relationship between her husband and their daughter. The 31-year-old van Riemsdyk was grateful under COVID-19 circumstances he was allowed in the delivery room for his daughter’s birth. But every extra day I get, I can heal and be more comfortable with kind of getting the feeling and touch back.”. Van Riemsdyk, who had 19 goals and 40 points in 66 games, and wife Lauren (about 34 weeks pregnant at the time) drove from Philadelphia to Minnesota about a week after the season was suspended. Interestingly Lauren was dressed by stylist Jessica Mulroney, who also dressed Meghan Markle on her wedding day, for the ceremony. Website for moms seeking advice, community, and entertainment. Van Riemsdyk, the No. He expected to return for the playoffs after he broke a finger on his right hand blocking a shot March 4 against Washington. "'She's a beast. It has given many, mainly fathers and daughters, the opportunity to share photos and stories of the special relationship shared. I’ll circle back on that one. She recalled meeting the Los Angeles Lakers star at an ESPN event in New York in 2018. The Flyers defeated the Rangers 5-3. Future #girldad ♥️ pic.twitter.com/wPwS9JKc8m, Van Riemsdyk, who like many athletes idolized Bryant, was shaken when he learned that the basketball icon had suddenly passed. “I tried to help in whatever minimal way I could and just be there for support.”. She’s been staying up with some of the graveyard shifts. It has given many, mainly fathers and daughters, the opportunity to share photos and stories of the special relationship shared. When she told him she was having a girl, he was delighted. Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Mark Lugris is a Junior Editor and Contributing Writer to BabyGaga. Since 2016, Mark has been the CEO and Content Director of Lugris Communications. Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device. The #girldad hashtag has gone viral on social media following Bryant’s death. ESPN anchor Elle Duncan originally inspired the #girldad hashtag after honoring Bryant on the air. Flyers' van Riemsdyk has full house with new girl, 5 key takeaways from Joe Biden's town hall with ABC News, Aviation staffer who has flown with Biden tests positive for COVID-19, Family of Black man who died in police custody describe 'horrific' bodycam video, Biden's ABC News town hall: Fact-checking the presidential candidate's answers, FI:LE - In this March 4, 2020, file photo, Philadelphia Flyers left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in Washington. You can put it in perspective that way.″. Flyers' van Riemsdyk has full house with new girl Philadelphia Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk and his wife recently celebrated the birth of their daughter : @ashergardner pic.twitter.com/q1kAc5okXn, Duncan then asked him if he planned on having more children in the future. Click the button below to start this article in quick view. It was a simple and quick post, but it looks like James van Riemsdyk and his wife Lauren are expecting a baby girl! "I would have five more girls if I could," he said. James And Wife Expecting Baby Girl! 2 overall pick of the 2007 draft, is on the NHL’s return-to-play committee trying to solve how the league could safely resume this season. “They’ve been great, but I’m sure they’re getting sick of us cramping their style.”. “We’re happy we’re able to come back and be close to her family so they’re able to help and do things like that and make her feel more comfortable.”. Since her tribute, countless proud fathers have shared photos with their daughters along with the hashtag #girldad on social media. “They have a pretty good setup in the basement where we kind of have our own space if we need it,” van Riemsdyk said. The Flyers were the hottest team in the NHL and had won nine straight games before a loss headed into the break. He’s getting the feel of how to be a dad -- even as he learns on the fly during a pandemic. Oh, baby! She's got it.'". A University of Connecticut graduate with a BA in English and Creative Writing, Mark has worked as a Reporter and Editor for news publications in Connecticut and Boston. The hashtag is meant to honor fathers who proudly embrace their daughters, as Bryant did, rather than reinforcing the age-old stereotype that men secretly prefer to have baby boys. “I would have been able to play weeks ago, probably. Duncan adds that she takes comfort in the fact that Bryant died doing what he loved most, being a father to his girls. The NHL star and wife Lauren went to exchange their wedding vows on 23 July 2019. The new family house isn’t finished yet, so the family of three has quarantined at his in-laws house. "High-five me, girls are the best," he said. “We’re all athletes and it could be anyone in that situation.