Proud papa Mitch Marner rejoins Maple Leafs ahead of playoff showdown with Florida Panthers.
New father and birthday boy says he’s rested and ready to go following the birth of his son, Miles.
New father and birthday boy Mitch Marner says he’s rested and ready to go for the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 1 tonight (8 p.m., CBC, Sportsnet) against the Florida Panthers following the birth of his son, Miles.
Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner missed practice Sunday. But he had a good excuse
Leafs
Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner missed practice Sunday. But he had a good excuse
“The birth of our son, such a special moment,” Marner said. “Just incredible moments. Something that’s hard to explain. As a parent, I think everyone feels it, but it’s something really cool.”
Marner took to the ice at the Scotiabank Arena as part of an abbreviated morning skate as the Maple Leafs prepare for their second-round series.
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“I’m fine,” he said of his energy level. “I just sat there and cheer-leaded. My wife (Stephanie) was an absolute beast through it all. She was so impressive to watch. What a woman’s body can do and how much strength they have, it was incredibly impressive to sit there and watch and be her cheerleader for two days.”
It also happens to be his 28th birthday.
“I’m just going to try and go out there and play hockey and win a hockey game,” Marner said.
Teammate William Nylander turned 29 last week, celebrating with two goals and an assist in the Game 6 clincher against Ottawa.
“It’s his birthday, so he’s in a good mood,” coach Craig Berube said of Marner, smiling. “He’s good. He’s ready to go.
“I expect the same game he always plays. He’s in a good spot. A lot of good things are happening in his life. He’s ready to go for the second round.”
Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner on becoming a new dad: ‘Incredible moment’.
‘My son was lucky enough, smart enough, don’t come during a hockey game, or a hockey day.’
On Monday, the day that the Maple Leafs star turned 28, he had already received the best present possible.
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After Marner and his wife Stephanie became parents on Sunday morning with the birth of their son Miles Daniel, the right winger was back at work, hours ahead of Game 1 of the second round against the Florida Panthers.
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“Really special moment, incredible moment, something that is hard to explain,” Marner said of becoming a dad. “As a parent, I think everyone feels it.
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“My wife was an absolute beast through it all. She was so impressive to watch, what a woman’s body can do and how much strength they have. Being her cheerleader for two days, it was something really special to be a part of. I’m a lucky guy for sure.”
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How would Marner go about putting a cap on his birthday on Monday night at Scotiabank Arena?
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“That’s a good question,” Marner said with a smile. “I don’t know. Just going to try to go out there and play hockey and win a hockey game and do my thing.
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“We have a lot of faith in this group. It has been a pretty special birthday, with everything going on in the last 24-48 hours.
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“It’s going to be one to remember for a long time regardless, just for what happened the last 48. Very grateful and very lucky.”
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Marner acknowledged that the impending birth was on his mind during the first round against the Ottawa Senators. It didn’t really impact his play, though, as he had one goal and seven assists as the Leafs eliminated the Sens in six games.
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“We didn’t know what was going to happen,” Marner said. “You never know when labour is going to hit.
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Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is expecting the Panthers to play a physical game in their series.
SIMMONS: Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube not intimidated by Cup champion Florida Panthers
Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was great taking faceoffs against the Senators in Round 1.
Maple Leafs’ Matthews on eve of second round: ‘We’re ready to go’
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“We were prepared if something did happen in Ottawa that there was a way for me to get to Toronto quickly and, lucky enough, it was a close-enough flight.
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“Family always comes first. If something happened during that series, during a hockey game with my wife going into labour, I was going to go and join her.
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“My son was lucky enough, smart enough, don’t come during a hockey game, or a hockey day. I was fortunate. The plan worked out. We wanted to try to end that series and try to get the baby coming before the next one started.”
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Leafs coach Craig Berube was counting on nothing less out of Marner in Game 1 than what the player usually provides.
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“I expect the same game he always plays,” Berube said. “He’s in a good spot. A lot of good things that are happening in his life and positive things. He’s ready to go for the second round now, coming off the first round, and baby and birthday, a lot of good stuff.”
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