Simon Benoit Misses First Day of Maple Leafs Training Camp as He and His Partner Welcome Their First Child

Benoit signed a three-year, $4.05 million extension with the Maple Leafs on Mar. 29.

Simon Benoit did not participate in the first day of Maple Leafs training camp but there was a good reason behind it.

He and his partner were welcoming their first child, Leafs PR posted on X as Toronto's first group of players filed onto the ice for the opening session of training camp.

Benoit is entering his second year with the Maple Leafs after playing 64 NHL games with Toronto last season. The 26-year-old scored one goal and four assists while averaging 17:14 of ice time for the year.

The defenseman signed a one-year, $775,000 deal last summer and impressed so much that he received a three-year, $4.05 million contract on Mar. 29. His deal carries an annual average value of $1.35 million.

Benoit has played 201 NHL games throughout his career, split between Toronto and the Anaheim Ducks, scoring five goals and 15 assists. He became a fan-favorite last season with his strong play and admiration for milk.

Related

‘Our Goal Will Always Be To Win The Stanley Cup, And Anything Short Of That Is A Failure’: Morgan Rielly Emphasizes Maple Leafs’ Championship-or-Bust Mentality

'Those Are Things That We'll Handle Behind Closed Doors': Have Contract Negotiations Between the Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner Already Begun?

‘We're A Better Team With Them On Our Team This Year’: Why President Brendan Shanahan Stuck with the Maple Leafs’ Core and General Manager Brad Treliving Believes This Season Will be Different

News from THN.com

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

Chicago Blackhawks Continue to Build Up with Bertuzzi, Teravainen and More NHL UFA Signings