Patrice Bergeron got some life-changing news today.

It appears it's time for fans everywhere to welcome a new member to the Bruins family.

Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron and his wife, Stephanie, on Wednesday welcomed into the world their first child, a boy named Zack.

Bergeron was notably absent from Wednesday's practice. Coach Claude Julien initially said his absence was for “personal reasons”, but team president Cam Neely announced today that he missed practice to attend the birth.

Neely also stated that Bergeron will play in Wednesday night's game against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden.

Congratulations Bergy on the new addition!

[pub]

Patrice Bergeron will be playing tonight, per Cam Neely on 98.5 The Sports Hub. Bergy became a new father this morning, welcoming son Zack

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 21, 2015

Images Courtesy of Keystone Press