Benoit returned to training camp on Friday after he and his girlfriend, Alice, welcomed their firstborn child, a little girl, into the world on Thursday.
Benoit returned to training camp on Friday after he and his girlfriend, Alice, welcomed their firstborn child, a little girl, into the world on Thursday.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Simon Benoit’s past few days have been a whirlwind. On Thursday, he became a first-time father, welcoming a baby girl with his girlfriend, Alice. By Friday, he was back on the ice at training camp ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Despite the exhausting hours spent at the hospital over the previous days, Benoit was all smiles upon his return, offering reporters a glimpse into the joy of adjusting to fatherhood.
“Long hours at the hospital. I have to go back there today. But no, everything is well. The girlfriend, the baby, everything is doing well and healthy. So we're glad and happy to be back here,” Benoit told reporters Friday.
When asked if they’ve chosen a name for their daughter, Benoit said, “Not yet. We’re working on it.”
Though the couple has yet to settle on a name for their newborn daughter, Benoit’s excitement is evident, as he is still in awe trying to wrap his head around the situation and holding his daughter for the first time.
“It's pretty special. I was just trying to understand how that came from me and my girlfriend. Most from her, (he laughed) but you know. It's just special. She just looks at you and it's just, not really a word for it. It's just exceptional.”
Understanding that this is a major milestone in his life, Benoit had the support of his teammates as he returned to the ice on Friday – leading the team stretch and was greeted with a stick tap.
“It's nice to feel the support from your teammates. We have a tight group over there. So knowing that they're there for me and helping me, it's cool.”
Back To Camp: The Berube Era Begins
Like all Leafs returning to training camp, they’re transitioning to a new system under head coach Craig Berube. Making his first appearance on Friday, his first day back was an intense one, marked by a physical practice – which compliments his playstyle.
“We know it's going to be different under Berube,” Benoit said. “He wants us to work hard, play hard.”
“He wants us to be hard to play against. Nothing around our net. Just simple, hard. Nobody steps on your feet. And just bringing everything to their face. It's a simple game, but I like to play that way. So we'll keep going.”
As the Leafs see plenty of potential new faces on the blueline this fall, including Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa, Benoit is playing with new defense partners, including Timothy Liljegren on day 2 of on-ice training camp. Benoit, seen as a lockdown, physical defenseman who isn’t afraid to throw his body around, is working to find the right fit for the mold.
Part of transitioning under a new coaching staff, including newly appointed associate coach Lane Lambert, is working out new systems, tactics, and schemes on special teams – including the penalty kill. Benoit, who serves as a defenseman on the second penalty-killing unit, worked with Lambert Friday to work on their approach.
“I played with him (Liljegren) a couple of games last year. He's a good defenseman. He brings that puck to the net. Good skater too. So if we can make it work, that would be perfect. It's just finding that little chemistry and we'll work on it in camp,” Benoit said before diving into penalty kill work with Lambert:
“He brings new ideas. He brings a new system. Today when I met him was my first meeting with him. So I just got to see what he was thinking on the PK and stuff. And I like the way he approaches things. We'll see how we can dial that to have good numbers on the PK, for sure.”
Thoughts on the New Oreo Partnership
The 26-year-old won over the fanbase last season when he expressed his love for Milk, the team’s jersey sponsor. This made for the perfect match and partnership, with Benoit appearing in a video describing his game day routine with Milk Up Ontario and obtaining the nickname, ‘The Milkman’.
The burning question and response Leafs nation has been waiting to hear are his thoughts about the new Oreo helmet partnership. It’s safe to say he was disappointed he missed the reveal and activities promoting the partnership, including the opportunity to have a glass of his favorite drink. Though he claims he doesn’t eat Oreos, he is on the side that agrees cookies are to be dunked in milk.
“I'm sad I missed that little video part. I was kind of excited to drink some milk. But, no, you know, it's a good concept. I don't eat Oreos, but, yeah,” Benoit said, referring to dunking cookies in milk.
The Laval, Quebec native had a goal and four assists for five points in the 2023-24 season but made his presence known off the scoresheet. The Leafs re-upped with the defenseman on a three-year, $4.05 million contract due to his consistent shutdown play.
Entering the new year with plenty of new faces and a new head coach, his playstyle should fit right in, and who knows, maybe he’ll have some added ‘dad strength’ along with teammate Morgan Rielly, who also recently joined fatherhood.
Related
'I Love It Here': Jake McCabe and Maple Leafs Have Had Discussions About Extension
Former Maple Leafs Goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo Signs Professional Tryout with Bruins
News from THN.com
Bruins Defenseman Says Nikita Zadorov's Heavy Hitting Will Boost Team's Physicality
Screen Shots: Bruins GM Speaks Out, Oilers Give Hoffman PTO And Joshua's Health Scare
NHL Free Agency: Grading 10 Teams for Their Off-Season Actions – or Lack Thereof