Hockey player, girlfriend deliver baby in backseat of car

The pressure of a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals is nothing compared to the pressure Detroit Red Wings forward Darren Helm felt Monday morning.

Pregnant girlfriend having contractions. It’s 2 a.m. The hospital, still five miles away, and the baby won’t wait.

When it’s time, it’s time.

Helm and girlfriend, Devon, welcomed Rylee Clare into this world at 2:15 a.m. in the backseat of their car along I-96. Helm, one of the NHL’s fastest forwards, just wasn’t quick enough this time.

“I was trying to get to the hospital as quick as I could,” Helm told the Detroit Free Press.

The good news, Helm, Devon and little Rylee were all doing fine on Tuesday.

Helm revealed that Devon delivered Rylee herself.

“After (Sunday’s 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues) game, I was in bed around 10:30 or 11 (p.m.), pretty tired after the game, and she kind of woke me up and said things were happening real fast,” Helm said. “It came on so quick, we thought we’d have some time to get to the hospital, and things just took turn.

“The baby was ready to come out and say hello, and that’s what she did.”

Rylee was born seven days before doctors had predicted.

After a day to gather himself, Helm said he had never been more nervous in his life.

“I didn’t really have a chance to think about it until after. I was petrified, but things ended up working out great. Took me the whole day to calm down.”