Brayden McNabb had much to celebrate after he and the Vegas Golden Knights won the opening game of the Stanley Cup finals against the Carolina Hurricanes on June 2.
While he soaked up the win with his team, the defenceman had two special people he wanted to celebrate with more – his wife, Lelanie, and their son, Laken.
The Canadian ice hockey star has been married for almost five years, and the Stanley Cup will bring back happy memories as his son was born between the first two games during the Golden Knights' Stanley Cup run in 2023.
Find out more about Brayden's wife, their son, and family life below.
© Getty ImagesBrayden and his wife Lelanie
Wife
Not much is known about Brayden's wife, Lelanie, and she doesn't appear to have a public presence on social media.
The couple dated for years before they tied the knot in 2021. "I met her back home in Saskatchewan; she was going to school there, we met one night at a bar, and the rest is history," Brayden told KTNV in 2024.
© InstagramBrayden and his wife Lelanie
'Rock of the family'
Brayden has credited his wife for being the "rock of the family," telling The Hockey News in 2024: "You really start to appreciate the home life and your wife; she basically takes care of you as another kid.
"It's amazing, and it's basically a big reason I've been where I am. The recovery aspect is a lot of credit to her, too. She's great with cooking and everything. She's the rock of the family."
© Brayden McNabbBrayden and his wife Lelanie
Wedding
Brayden and Lelanie tied the knot at Rock Creek, a 30,000-acre luxury ranch in Montana, in mid-August 2021 after he popped the question during the Christmas holidays in December 2019.
© Brayden McNabbBrayde, Lelanie, and their son Laken
Kids
Brayden and Lelanie became first-time parents in the spring of 2023. Their son, Laken, was born between Games 1 and 2 of the first round during the Golden Knights' Stanley Cup run in 2023.
Speaking about spending time with his son in the off-season, Brayden told KTNV: "He loves the swing set, he loves playing on the jungle gym, he just likes being outside, so whenever it's a nice day, just getting outside and going for a walk was awesome, it's cool to see the joy he brings to the family."
Brayden also revealed that Laken may follow in his dad's footsteps. "We got the sticks out and he likes whacking the stick and trying to hit the ball," he told The Hockey News. "It's already kind of looking like he's gonna really enjoy it. But when the time comes, we'll put him on (skates). If he likes it, he likes it; if he doesn't, he doesn't. Not gonna push. But if it happens, it happens."
© Getty ImagesBrayden is a defenceman for the Vegas Golden Knights
Fatherhood
Brayden admitted that once he became a father, he finally understood why his teammates were excited to rush home to their families.
"When it happens to you, you're like, 'Oh wow, this is what it is,'" he told The Hockey News. "Life is different and it is different for the better, and it's been a joy having him and just looking forward to watching him grow up. Even from when he was born to now, it's been a lot and it's almost sad he's growing up too fast. So it's been a lot of fun.
He added: "Everyone tells you it's the best, and then it happens, and now you're telling everyone that it's the best. As soon as you get home through those doors, I mean, after a game, obviously he's probably sleeping or hope he's sleeping anyways.
"But, you know, the next morning you see him, he's happy. They mean the world to you, so it's a great getaway from hockey and sports, for other people too. It's been a pleasure having that, especially for the hockey career."
