Simon Benoit Bio
Simon Benoit (born September 19, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League. Benoit began his professional career in 2018 and developed through the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the American Hockey League before making his NHL debut in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Simon Benoit was born in Laval, Quebec, Canada on September 19, 1998. He played youth hockey in Quebec, appearing with Laval-Montréal Rousseau Royal in the Ligue de hockey M18 AAA du Québec, where he developed as a left-shooting defenceman noted for positional play and physical presence.
Benoit advanced through local development programs and drew attention from junior scouts, leading to his selection in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft. Details of his formal education are not publicly documented in available sources.
Path to Hockey
Benoit was selected by the Shawinigan Cataractes in the eighth round, 129th overall, of the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft and spent three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Cataractes. His time in the QMJHL established him as a defensively reliable prospect and positioned him for a professional opportunity despite going undrafted by the NHL.
After three seasons in the QMJHL, Benoit signed an initial professional contract with the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League on September 25, 2018, beginning his professional career in the Ducks organization. His progression through the AHL provided the platform for the Anaheim Ducks to add him to their NHL contract pool the following year.
Simon Benoit Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Benoit began his professional career in 2018 with the San Diego Gulls, the AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. In his first professional season, 2018–19, he appeared in 65 regular-season games, contributed two goals and 16 points, and led the team with a +16 plus/minus rating, showing steady defensive contributions on the Gulls’ blueline.
On March 8, 2019, Benoit was signed by the Anaheim Ducks to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning in the 2019–20 season. He continued to develop in the AHL over subsequent seasons, focusing on defensive positioning, puck management, and physical play while preparing for an NHL opportunity.
Anaheim Ducks Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Benoit earned his first NHL call-up during the 2020–21 season and made his National Hockey League debut on April 29, 2021, with the Anaheim Ducks in a 3–2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. He logged roughly 12 minutes of ice time in that first appearance and began gaining experience on the Ducks’ third defensive pairing.
During the 2021–22 season Benoit established himself with Anaheim, scoring his first NHL goal on October 28, 2021, a game-tying goal against the Buffalo Sabres in a 4–3 overtime loss. He completed his first full NHL season with the Ducks in 2021–22, wearing a defensive role focused on physical engagement and simple, effective puck play.
Toronto Maple Leafs Era (2023–Present)
Following five seasons within the Anaheim Ducks organization and approaching restricted free agency, Benoit was not tendered a qualifying offer and became an unrestricted free agent. He signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on August 28, 2023, for $775,000 and began camp competing for a roster spot.
Benoit did not make the Maple Leafs out of training camp and was placed on waivers; after going unclaimed he was assigned to the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate. He was later recalled to the NHL on November 4, 2023, and made his debut with Toronto on November 6 in a 6–5 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Over the course of his time with the Maple Leafs that season he became notable for his physical play and led the club in hits at a key juncture, a performance that preceded a three-year contract extension reportedly averaging $1.35 million per season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Benoit is a left-shooting defenceman who built his game around dependable defensive play, physical engagement, and strong positional awareness. His AHL and NHL usage emphasize board battles, shot suppression, and clearing lanes, while his ability to deliver and sustain a high volume of hits has become a distinguishing factor at the NHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Benoit’s career include his signing with the San Diego Gulls and subsequent entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks, his NHL debut on April 29, 2021, and his first NHL goal on October 28, 2021. His August 2023 signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs and subsequent NHL recall and debut for Toronto represent important transitions in his professional trajectory.
Simon Benoit Career Wins
Benoit’s on-ice milestones are centered on defensive contributions and firsts rather than a high scoring output. He registered his first professional season offensive totals with the San Diego Gulls in 2018–19 and later recorded his first NHL goal with the Anaheim Ducks during the 2021–22 season.
QMJHL and Junior Highlights
After being drafted by the Shawinigan Cataractes in 2015, Benoit played three seasons in the QMJHL, a period in which he developed the defensive fundamentals that carried into his professional career. Specific junior-season totals are recorded in league records from his time with Shawinigan, where his play earned attention from professional scouts.
AHL Highlights
In his first AHL season with the San Diego Gulls (2018–19) Benoit recorded two goals and 16 points in 65 games and led the team with a +16 plus/minus rating. Those numbers reflected his immediate adjustment to the professional game and his value as a stay-at-home defenceman who can impact team goal differential.
NHL Highlights
Benoit made his NHL debut in April 2021 and scored his first NHL goal on October 28, 2021. Across his early NHL seasons he established a role on third-pairing duties that emphasized defensive reliability, physicality, and situational awareness rather than offensive production.
Other Wins & Performances
Other notable professional performances include steady penalty-killing minutes, consistent assignment to difficult defensive matchups at both AHL and NHL levels, and a period with the Toronto Maple Leafs in which he led the team in hits at a key point during a season—an indicator of his physical impact and usage in a checking role.
Simon Benoit Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Public records do not list an extended family hockey lineage for Benoit. He emerged through Quebec’s local youth programs and the provincial junior system, following a common development path for Canadian players from the Laval region into major junior hockey and the professional ranks.
Personal Life
Benoit is in a long-term relationship and has one child born in September 2024 with his longtime girlfriend. Other personal details, including the names of family members and residence information, are not publicly documented in provided sources.