New Dad Lizotte Relishes Break with Family

Penguins forward Blake Lizotte enjoys time off to bond with newborn son

Feb. 20, 2026 at 9:26pm

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Blake Lizotte, a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins, is relishing the NHL's break to spend time with his newborn son. Lizotte, who recently signed a three-year contract extension, says the timing of the break couldn't be better as he adjusts to fatherhood and the lack of sleep that comes with it. His teammate, Stuart Skinner, even joked that Lizotte's shot looks harder thanks to the "dad strength." Lizotte is soaking up the precious moments with his son, saying everything feels "right in the world" when he's holding him.

Why it matters

The story highlights how professional athletes balance their demanding careers with the joys and challenges of becoming new parents. It provides a relatable, human-interest angle to the typical sports coverage, showing how players' lives extend beyond the game.

The details

Lizotte, 25, signed a three-year contract extension with the Penguins in January, ensuring he and his wife, Abigail, could continue calling Pittsburgh home. During the NHL's current break, Lizotte is relishing the opportunity to spend time with his newborn son, adjusting to the lack of sleep that comes with being a new parent. His teammate, Stuart Skinner, joked that Lizotte's shot even looks harder thanks to the "dad strength." Lizotte, however, says he's still waiting for that extra power to kick in.

  • Lizotte signed a three-year contract extension with the Penguins in January 2026.
  • The NHL is currently on a break, providing Lizotte time to bond with his newborn son.

The players

Blake Lizotte

A 25-year-old forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins who recently signed a three-year contract extension.

Stuart Skinner

Lizotte's teammate on the Penguins who joked that Lizotte's shot looks harder due to "dad strength."

Avery Hayes

A Penguins player who scored two goals in his NHL debut during the team's 5-2 win over the Sabres, which Lizotte watched.

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What they’re saying

“When you're kind of holding them, and seeing them, everything is just right in the world. It's just bliss at home when he's napping in your arms, that's just the best thing ever. You're not too worried about anything else. It's honestly just the way that you see the day-to-day, like, life and priorities just change so much. Our whole priorities just shift to what he needs and wants. It's been a lot of fun to watch him.”

— Blake Lizotte, Penguins Forward (nhl.com)

“Stu was telling me that my shot was looking a little bit harder as a joke. I don't shoot the puck very hard. But not yet (on the dad strength), I'm waiting for that to come in still.”

— Blake Lizotte, Penguins Forward (nhl.com)

What’s next

Lizotte and the Penguins will look to build on their recent success when the NHL season resumes following the break.

The takeaway

The story provides a heartwarming glimpse into the life of a professional athlete navigating the joys and challenges of fatherhood, reminding us that even elite players have lives and priorities beyond the game.