Blackhawks Playoff Baby Who Sat in Stanley Cup Turns 2

It’s been two years since Donna Wilczek-Lebano went to a Blackhawks game and came home with a baby.

She was eight months pregnant when the excitement during the first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild sent her into labor, but she wasn’t going anywhere until the Hawks clinched the victory.

“Looking back, I wouldn’t have changed a thing,“ she said. “It was such an amazing experience all the way around.”

As soon as the game was over, Wilczek-Lebano’s three sisters drove her to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital. Her water broke minutes after she arrived, and Owen Michael was born just two hours later.

When the Hawks won the 2013 Stanley Cup, Denis Savard let Owen sit in the trophy.

“Denis Savard is the classiest man and a wonderful face of the Blackhawks,” Wilczek-Lebano said. “At New Year’s, we got a text from him saying ‘Happy New Year, hope all is well.’”

Wilczek-Lebano has been busy celebrating Owen’s second birthday and preparing for her company’s conference, Coupa Inspire 2015. A few weeks ago, Owen fell down and had to get five stitches in his forehead, but he didn’t even cry.

“We’re like, ‘Oh that’s all right, he’s just gearing up to be a hockey player.’”

They call him Little Hossa after Marian Hossa, who was the favorite player of Wilczek-Lebano’s father, Leo Wilczek. Wilczek passed away about four years ago, but he was a huge Blackhawks fan, and anytime the family watches a game they remember him.

Wilczek-Lebano said Owen doesn’t yet understand how special his birth story is, but he has an amazing memento that he’s not allowed to touch — a hockey stick signed by the 2013 players who won the Stanley Cup. She said he’ll definitely come to enjoy it when he gets older.

Every time the Blackhawks play the Wild, Wilczek-Lebano goes right back to that night when she thought she might give birth in the United Center.

As for this current Stanley Cup playoffs, Wilczek-Lebano said she feels the same way about their chances every year.

“They’re going to win it all.”

Photos courtesy of Donna Wilczek-Lebano

Photo 1: Owen sits in the Stanley Cup
Photo 2: Owen fell while running (he never stops) and got five stitches, but he’s tough like a Hawks player already!
Photo 3: Donna holds Owen at this hospital with her husband, Charles Lebano
Photo 4: from left to right, Charles Lebano, Christian Lebano, Denis Savard, Donna Wilczek-Lebano, Owen Lebano
Photo 5: from left to right, Denis Savard, Donna Wilczek-Lebano, Owen Lebano, Barbara Wilczek, Leo Wilczek (frame), MaryAnne Wilczek-Krzeminski.
Photo 6: from left to right, Charles Lebano, Owen Lebano, Donna Wilczek-Lebano, Christian Lebano

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