Hockey Star T.J. Oshie Opens Up About His Daughter's Rare Birth Defect and Successful Surgery

St. Louis Blues player's newborn baby girl was treated for gastroschisis and is expected to go home next week

Delivering a big win for Team USA against Russia during the recent Winter Olympics was no doubt amazing for hockey player T.J. Oshie.

But here's something that certainly trumps that memorable moment.

During an appearance on Friday's Today, Oshie, along with fiancée Lauren Cosgrove, opened up about the birth defect daughter Lyla Grace was born with back in March and how she required immediate surgery.

"It's called gastroschisis," Oshie, who plays for the St. Louis Blues, told the popular NBC morning program. "When she was born, her bowel was outside of her stomach, which means her stomach closed without her bowel getting inside of her."

And while Lyla's surgery was successful, it nevertheless meant that her parents would have to wait several days before they could even hold her.

"It was the most wonderful feeling to hold her for the first time," Cosgrove said. "I can't even really describe how it felt. It was great."

Added Oshie, "She's adorable. It's crazy. You catch yourself just holding her for two hours and looking at her the whole time."

Happily, Lyla is recovering quickly, eating normally and her intestines are working. She is expected to go home as early as next week.

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)