Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner is celebrating a major life milestone just as the team prepares for a critical playoff series. Marner and his wife, Stephanie LaChance, welcomed their first child, a baby boy.
The Maple Leafs confirmed that Marner missed an optional skate and full practice to be with his growing family. The team’s PR account shared the news shortly after the birth, noting that Marner would return in time for the second-round opener at Scotiabank Arena.
Mitch Marner Receives Support From Leafs Leadership
Team captain John Tavares spoke about the moment, offering heartfelt congratulations and reflecting on what parenthood means.
“It gives you tremendous perspective and meaning to life,” Tavares said. “For him, it has been probably real emotional, and you try to soak it all in. It’s really special. Really happy for Mitchy and his wife and his family.”
Head coach Craig Berube echoed the sentiment with a smile. “He’s probably in a good mood,” he said, adding that fatherhood is “one of the best feelings you’ll ever have.”
Marner’s absence from practice saw Nick Robertson fill in temporarily on the top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. Marner is expected to return for Game 1 against the Panthers on Monday night.
His on-ice performance has matched the significance of his off-ice moment. Marner played a key role in the Leafs’ 4-2 first-round series win over the Ottawa Senators, posting one goal and seven assists in six games, second only to William Nylander.
Mitch Marner Balances Fatherhood With Playoff Push
The birth of Marner’s son comes at a pivotal time in the Maple Leafs’ postseason run. As the team gears up to face the Florida Panthers in Round 2, Marner’s leadership and production remain crucial.
Now officially part of the Leafs’ “hockey dads” club — alongside Simon Benoit, Morgan Rielly and veteran Max Pacioretty — Marner enters the next phase of the playoffs with a fresh perspective.
Marner and LaChance, who married in the summer of 2023, kept their pregnancy mostly private. The first public hint came when Jake McCabe’s wife posted a photo from LaChance’s baby shower earlier this year.
The image showed baby-themed cookies and a card that read, “Oh boy! Welcome Baby Marner.”
Drafted in 2015, Marner has cemented himself as a key piece of the Leafs’ core. With over 740 career points, he’s known for his creativity on the ice and his easygoing nature off it. Those close to him say he’s always had a soft spot for kids, which showed even in his early years, when he spent time with teammate Patrick Marleau’s children.
As Game 1 approaches, all eyes will be on Marner — not just as a playmaker, but also as a new father stepping into a bigger role both on the ice and at home.