Slovak hockey forward Tomáš Tatar is experiencing hectic moments this Christmas.
24.12.2025 17:15
Photo: ČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Pius Koller
Zug forward Tomáš Tatar played Tuesday’s match against Davos despite his wife Veronika already being in the hospital giving birth to their first child.
The Swiss Zug player arrived in the dressing room of his team early on Tuesday evening just before the start of the league match against Davos. And after a 3-2 victory, he immediately went away after raids. The reason was his pregnant wife Veronika, who was giving birth to their first child in the hospital.
As the Swiss Blick reported, on Tuesday morning Zug coach Michael Lingier’s cell phone rang. Slovak forward Tatar was on the line, who informed him that he was going to the hospital with his wife. “But he also told me that he definitely wanted to play that night,” Liniger said after the 3-2 win over Davos.
Read more A bomb like a cannon! Slafkovský nailed the high triumph of Montreal with a Christmas goal greeting
The 35-year-old Slovak stayed in the hospital with his wife in the morning, went home after lunch and went to bed – as always on the day of the match, from two to four in the afternoon. He then returned to the hospital, but the child was still in no hurry to be born.
So, at six o’clock in the evening, the father-to-be decided to join his teammates at the stadium. “He said he talked to his wife about it and he could come,” Liniger said, adding that he is two weeks past his due date and would understand if he missed the game.
However, Tatar played the match and also scored an assist. The coach highlighted his importance for the team. “His presence and influence on the team is huge. Tomáš brings us creativity, provides a positive impulse, but is also straightforward when needed,” stated Lingier.
Read more I got on a bus full of women and there she was sitting. She doesn’t like cabbage, but she can’t resist fish with salad
The arrival of the Slovak removed the Czech striker Daniel Voženielk from the Zug lineup. And while Tataar was performing his tasks on the ice during the game, the physiotherapist had his cell phone ready in his pocket next to the players’ changing table. He’s been on standby for two weeks. He would respond immediately if the child asked about the world.
But the cell phone did not ring during the match. The father-to-be scored a goal in the power play to make it 2:1, and in the penalty shootout the puck only hit the crossbar. His teammates Hofmann and Kovar secured the victory for the home team. And as soon as the match ended, Tatar went to the dressing room and sat in the car for a few minutes in the direction of the hospital. His expectation of a Christmas baby was huge.
