FORT LAUDERDALE – As any new dad would be, Carter Verhaeghe was beaming.

Returning to the Florida Panthers after a brief absence to welcome the birth of his first child earlier this week, the veteran forward brought good news during Thursday’s morning skate.

His wife, Casey, is doing great, and there’s a new member of the household – Rory.

“There was a lot that went down,” Verhaeghe chuckled while recounting the experience to the media at Baptist Health IcePlex. “I’m just thankful that we got to welcome a baby boy into the world. My wife and I are so proud. I’m so proud of her. It was just a special day.”

For the Panthers, Verhaeghe is the latest in an ever-growing group of dads.

“A daycare,” head coach Paul Maurice often happily describes the locker room.

Upon his return, Verhaeghe

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