OTTAWA — In sports, we often use dramatic terms, but for Ottawa Senators` David Perron and his wife Vanessa Vandal, the past months have revealed the true weight of words like `crisis` and `family priorities.`
Perron recently shared with Sportsnet.ca the intense journey his family faced when a life-threatening condition was discovered in their unborn baby.
Reflecting on it, Perron admits to gaining unwanted expertise in prenatal care and complex surgeries. This father, who once aimed to bring a Stanley Cup to St. Louis, now hopes to achieve the same with the Senators, drawing strength from his family`s resilience.
Vanessa and David`s story began during the 2012-13 NHL lockout in Sherbrooke, Quebec, as shared in `Hockey Wives`.
“We talked until 4 AM on our first date in a parking lot,” Vanessa recounted. “Six months later, I joined him in St. Louis.”
Drafted 26th overall by St. Louis in 2007, Perron`s career journey now includes Ottawa, where he signed as a free agent in July 2024.
While in Sherbrooke, during her fourth pregnancy, Vanessa sensed something was wrong in her seventh month. An emergency visit to the hospital revealed serious news.
“It was a mother’s instinct,” Perron acknowledged.
Doctors found a growth on their unborn daughter`s lung, endangering her heart. Immediate action was needed, with possibilities of in vitro surgery and postnatal surgery in Toronto.
The diagnosis was overwhelming. “We were in a spin cycle, constantly adjusting,” Perron described.
Emotions ran high as they grappled with potential outcomes and risks to their baby girl`s life and future health.
“We got on each other’s nerves, to put it lightly,” Perron chuckled, recalling the stress.
“I tried to stay composed, focusing on the immediate steps, while Vanessa naturally worried about the bigger picture.”
A crucial step was learning about fetal surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, specializing in thoracic procedures.
The condition was a large congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of the lung, requiring a fetal thoracoamniotic shunt (TAS) to drain fluid and improve the baby`s chances.
Perron mentioned the condition is rare, affecting about 1 in 10,000 fetuses and not genetic.
The procedure aimed to reduce the mass, increasing the chances of a full-term pregnancy, though premature birth remained a risk. The due date was late October, making early delivery risky.
Expecting a brief Toronto visit, Vanessa stayed hospitalized for a week after the successful fetal surgery. The Perrons then faced weeks of anxiety, with frequent hospital check-ups in Ottawa, fearing an emergency delivery.
Weeks slowly passed.
“The in vitro procedure was a small miracle, allowing her to carry to full term,” Perron gratefully noted. “This crucial time allowed her healthy lung to fully develop.”
They named her Elizabeth en route to Mount Sinai, making her existence tangible amidst uncertainty, as Vanessa later shared on Instagram.
Born on October 27th, Elizabeth underwent major surgery at CHEO to remove the lung mass. The family was deeply touched by the exceptional care, recalling a CHEO specialist sharing tears with Vanessa.
“I was amazed by the doctor`s investment in our case,” Perron said, witnessing her empathy despite her demanding schedule.
Five months on, Elizabeth thrives, healthy and strong. The Perrons are settling into Ottawa, embracing their new city.
“She’s doing great,” Perron says of Elizabeth, now the youngest of four. He knocks on wood, “She’s clear of everything. The scar is fading, and we’re incredibly grateful for this positive outcome since last August`s daunting news. She’s started smiling and interacting – it’s surreal.”
Doctors assure a normal, active life for Elizabeth, with surgeons successfully preserving much of her lung.
“They are special people at CHEO,” Perron says of the healthcare team.
Vanessa celebrated Elizabeth as “our little miracle, already a fighter.”
On the Ice
While less dramatic, Perron’s first Senators season has been eventful.
Training camp injuries, followed by family health concerns in late October, disrupted his start.
Returning in November, he played four games before a back injury sidelined him again. By his January 23rd return, he’d played only nine games with no points.
“Joining a new team is challenging, and with games underway, finding my hockey rhythm was tough and draining,” Perron reflected. “I focused on daily progress to seize opportunities when they came.”
He felt early promise with a line including Shane Pinto and Mike Amadio.
However, post-trade deadline, coach Travis Green`s line with Dylan Cozens, Perron, and Drake Batherson ignited Perron’s performance.
In March, Perron scored seven goals, three assists, and a plus-7 rating in 15 games, contributing to 10 Senators wins. His veteran presence has elevated his linemates.
“They are all intelligent players,” Green noted about the Cozens-Perron-Batherson line, his most consistent recently.
“They’ve shown offensive prowess, puck protection, and sustained zone time.”
Perron is now seen as a timely boost, despite joining last summer – a testament to his resilience both personally and professionally.
Tristan Blackwood