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

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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.