Apr 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16) answers a question from the media following game one of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
As Mitch Marner stepped onto the ice at Scotiabank Arena on Monday morning, he was a little bit older and wiser.
The Toronto Maple Leafs forward missed practice on Sunday after he and his wife, Stephanie, welcomed a baby boy into their lives. Ahead of Game 1 of their second-round series against the Florida Panthers, Marner discussed what it was like to be there for the birth of their child, Miles Daniel Marner.
"A really special moment," the 28-year-old said proudly.
"It was just an incredible moment, something that’s hard to explain, and as a parent, I think everyone feels it, but it’s something really cool."
The Marners were on baby watch for most of the series against the Ottawa Senators. The family hoped that the baby would come after the series, but with a baby, it can come at the most unexpected time.
"You never know when labor’s going to hit, so we were prepared if something did happen in Ottawa that there was a way for me to get to Toronto quickly, and luckily enough, it was a close enough flight as we all know," Marner said.
"Family always comes first, so if something happened during that series or during a hockey game with my wife going into labor, I was going to go and join her and be her cheerleader there."
Luckily, their baby was born after Toronto eliminated the Senators in Game 6 on Saturday.
"My son was smart enough to know that don’t come on a hockey day, so I was very fortunate," Marner smiled. "The plan worked out. We wanted to try to end that series and try to get the baby coming out before the next one started. Lucky enough it worked out."
Oliver Ekman-Larsson understands what it's like to be there for the birth of his child during playoff season. The 33-year-old and his wife welcomed their baby, Leo, on April 8, 2024, 13 days before Florida's historic postseason run began.
"It’s awesome. It’s probably one of the best things that can happen to you, right?" Ekman-Larsson said Monday. "I’m happy for him, and can just speak for myself, but it helped me just get away from the hockey in between games, and it’s not a bad thing."
What has head coach Craig Berube noticed about Marner since returning to the team, and on his birthday?
"It's his birthday, so he's in a good mood. He's good. He's ready to go," Berube smiled.
"He's in a good spot. A lot of good things are happening in his life, positive things, and he's ready to go for the second round now. Coming off the first round, baby, and birthday, a lot of good stuff."
Marner said he got plenty of rest entering Monday's Game 1 against the Panthers. He added that it was a special experience witnessing how his wife managed the pregnancy and their son's birth.
"My wife was an absolute beast through it all," he said.
"She was so impressive to watch, what a woman’s body can do, how much strength they have. It was incredibly impressive to sit there and watch, and just be her cheerleader for two days. It was something really special to watch and be a part of. I’m a lucky guy for sure."
Now, though, Marner turns the page onto a new series, one that they lost two years ago after eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning. The forward doesn't have very many hockey memories on his birthday, but says that regardless of what happens on Monday night, he's had a special last couple of days.
"It is going to be one to remember for a long time regardless, with what happened in the last 48. Very grateful and very lucky, and just going to try and go out there and play a hockey game and do my thing."
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