Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner had a great reason for missing practice on Sunday. Earlier in the morning, one of the official X accounts for the NHL team shared the right winger would be away for the day, announcing news that left many fans excited.
“Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner and his wife, Stephanie, welcomed the arrival of a baby boy this morning. Marner will not participate in today’s practice,” the account posted just before 11 a.m. EST.
Fans across social media have been reacting to the special news since it was announced. People gave the new parents their well-wishes, with some sharing light-hearted jokes amid Star Wars Day, Marner’s birthday and the Florida Panthers game on Monday.
“Congratulations, Mitch and Stephanie!” an Instagram user wrote alongside a blue heart emoji.
“Please, please, please win for new dad Mitch on his birthday tomorrow!” another added.
The newborn baby news comes a day before Marner’s 28th birthday on May 5. The Leafs are also set to open their second-round series against Stanley Cup champions the Florida Panthers on Monday night in Toronto.
It’s been a season full of fatherhood for the Leafs. In September, defenceman Simon Benoit and longtime girlfriend Alice Desaulniers welcomed their first child together, a baby girl. Earlier last year in August, Olympian Tessa Virtue and defenceman Morgan Rielly announced the birth of their baby son.
In February, it was revealed that Marner and partner Stephanie were expecting a baby boy. At the time, a social media account about the team called Maple Leaf News posted a photo — originally shared by Jake McCabe’s wife Gaby — showing what appeared to be a baby shower invitation.
Mitch Marner and Stephanie LaChance first started dating in 2015 and eventually tied the knot in 2023. (Photo by GP Images/Getty Images)
“Congratulations to Mitch Marner and his wife Steph who are expecting a baby boy,” the Maple Leaf News account wrote, sharing photo where the invitation said “Oh boy! Welcome baby Marner. Love your Lady Leafs.”
Marner and Stephanie got married in July 2023 at Peller Estates winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. Numerous current and former Leafs players attended the wedding, including John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Rasmus Sandin, James Van Riemsdyk, Joe Thornton, Zach Bogosian and Tyson Barrie.
The couple have been dating since 2015. They both grew up in Markham, Ont., and went to school together. However, they reportedly reconnected on Stephanie’s 19th birthday while she was attending Western University in London, Ont.
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