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Helm returns to Red Wings after girlfriend delivers child

DETROIT -- Red Wings center Darren Helm had quite the story to tell when he returned to the team after the birth of his second child with his girlfriend.

Helm was driving with his girlfriend, Devon, early Monday morning when the baby, Rylee-Klaire, was born in the couple's car on the way to the hospital.

"It was pretty intense," Helm said. "I'm extremely proud of what (Devon) did. The courage and the pain that she had to go through is amazing. How she did that -- I'm so proud of her, proud of the baby."

Helm said Devon was able to deliver the baby on her own while he steered everyone to safety at the hospital. Rylee-Klaire, weighing in at six pounds, 10 ounces, arrived a week earlier than expected.

"We got to the ER and they kept assuring us that things were going to be OK after they got a good look at the baby and Devon was feeling good," Helm said. "It took us a while to kind of get over what happened, but things are moving along pretty well."

Helm was expected to play Tuesday night against Arizona. He said he couldn't be happier with how things the turned out with the newest addition to his family.

"We have a pretty funny story now that we think about it," he said.