Update on Calgary boy named for Miikka Kiprusoff

Back on May 1,2004, Calgary Flames fans were on the edge of their seats as the underdog team battled the top-seeded Detroit Red Wings in Game Five of the NHL Western Conference semifinals.

Goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff became the hero of the game that night making 31 saves for a shutout in a 1-0 victory that propelled the Flames to Game Six in the series.

And it was Kiprusoff's trademark strength and resilience that became the inspiration for a Calgary family debating a name for the baby boy who was about to be delivered.

"We had a toss-up and we couldn't quite decide between Ashton or Miikka," mom Nicole Papin said.

Papin's labour started the night before.

A die-hard Flames fan since the team arrived in Calgary in 1980, it was a nail-biter for dad Joseph Delorme as he balanced keeping an eye on Saturday's game with keeping an eye on Papin, begging his boy to hold on until the action on the ice wrapped up.

"It was like, 'oh please, just relax, don't push, just don't do anything until after the game.' Because it was such a close game," Delorme said.

The baby obliged. Little Miikka Papin-Delorme came barreling into the world on May 2, 2004.

The next night, Papin and Delorme held Mikka, as Kiprusoff held strong against the Red Wings. The team racked up their second straight 1-0 win and a trip to San Jose to take on the Sharks in the Western Conference Final.

Fast-forward

Today, Kiprusoff is about 18 months into retirement, but his former team is in the playoffs and his namesake is 10-years-old.

"Basically it was supposed to be Miikka Jarome at that time," laughed Delorme. "But Nicole wouldn't let me put Jarome in there."

Recalling why he gravitated toward the name Miikka for his son, Delorme was reflective.

"It's a very unique name. The guy persevered through everything. He was a strong player, he was just somebody I actually looked up to," he said.

Miikka is now in grade five, and is into video games and sports such as badminton, soccer, and basketball. But no hockey, admits Delorme.

"Golf. He said if he could ever go to school for golf he would."

Mikka is about to turn 11. And while Delorme says that his son won't be having a Flames-themed birthday party, "He's a Flames fan, he knows who Kiprusoff is."

Miikka has had several Flames jerseys since he was born, and he's been to two or three Flames games. For Delorme, it means a lot to be able to share his passion for the team with his son.

"It's a great feeling, your chest puffs out. You're a proud father."