Simon Benoit can lay the big hit but also throws down a glass of milk every night before bed.
Simon Benoit can lay the big hit but also throws down a glass of milk every night before bed.
While the NHL enjoys the annual NHL All-Star Game, Simon Benoit gets to enjoy the distinction of being the last Toronto Maple Leafs player to score a regular season goal.
On Saturday, the 6-foot-3 defenseman was on the ice trying to help his team stave off a late charge from the Winnipeg Jets when he came into contact with the puck and cleared it out of harm's way.
It just so happened to find its way into an empty net for the player's first goal of the season.
His teammates were thrilled for the Laval, Quebec native.
"He's been searching for it and has lots of chances," Auston Matthews said with a smile after the team's 4-2 win against the Jets last week. "I was pretty excited to see him get that one. I think everybody was."
This week, Benoit was a guest on the Mitts Off podcast with Luke Gazdic. The players were teammates for a couple of seasons with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL, where they reminisced on a bunch of topics.
Gazdic brought up Toronto's jersey ad sponsor from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, whose logo is a giant 'Milk' word that shows up on the Maple Leafs' jersey.
It turns out that's perfect for the milk-loving Benoit.
"I should be a sponsor for that, I drink milk every single day," Benoit said. "If I don't have my big glass of milk at home before going to bed, I won't sleep."
Gazdic, making sure Benoit wasn't joking with him, pressed Benoit further..
"I'm serious, a big fresh glass of milk in the fridge, Benoit said. "I've got it in glass (bottles)"
The type of milk?
"3.8 percent, the whole milk, that's the real stuff."
The Maple Leafs signed the undrafted Benoit to a one-year deal in August and he discussed several topics with Gazdic including his pre-season debut where he had three minor penalties.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2NtADVGVNY[/embed]
Benoit has overcome that slow start with the Maple Leafs and has become an everyday contributor to the team. He leads the Leafs with 92 hits despite playing in only 33 games.
"I can't score a f-----' goal, but I'm glad to hit the bodies for you guys," Benoit said after receiving the club's player-of-the-game belt following a 2-1 overtime win against his former team, the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 3
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