Simon Benoit's time with the Toronto Maple Leafs finally came to an end this week. The defenseman shared a heartfelt farewell message on Instagram after he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers on June 16.

In his Instagram post on June 20, Benoit thanked the organization, his teammates, staff members, and fans for their support throughout his time there.

"Thank you to the Organization for everything on and off the ice, to my teammates, the staff, and the fans for an unforgettable journey and for always making me feel at home," he wrote. "I will always be grateful for the opportunity the Leafs gave me."

It was later reposted by Leafslatest on their X account on June 20.

Benoit's departure from the team comes shortly after he and goaltender Joseph Woll were traded to the Flyers. In return, Toronto got goaltender Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae, and Philadelphia's third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Benoit joined the Maple Leafs right before the 2023-24 season. He quickly became a popular defenseman on the team. He was well known for his willingness to play a tough role in the back end. 

During the 2025-26 season, Benoit made six assists across 73 games, and he ranked among the top with the team's leaders in hits and blocked shots. 

For all his fans from Toronto, the farewell was tough and emotional. It reflected all the reputation he built on the ice alongside his teammates. 

Under Leafslatest's post, fans poured in their comments to appreciate his contributions over his three years with the team.

Fans pour in their appreciation for Benoit

Maple Leafs fans flooded Benoit’s post with messages thanking him for his time with the team. One fan wrote, "Played a simple game, never flashy but always have 100% enjoyed having him as a leaf, good luck." 

The 2025–26 campaign saw the 6-foot-4, 210-pound defenseman record six assists in 73 appearances.

Another fan will remember Benoit's heroics during the playoffs. "We'll never forget the playoff goal vs Ottawa. Thanks, Benny," the comment read. Last March, his goal at 1:19 of overtime sealed a 3–2 win for Toronto over the Ottawa Senators in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round.

Several fans were blunt that Benoit wasn't the most skilled player on the roster, yet still put up strong plays. "I'm going to miss Benny. Wasn't the best player, but always put in solid effort. Sad to see you go, mate," one comment read. He added 194 hits, placing him in the top two on his team and continuing a five-year run near the top of that category.

Another one added, "Loved him as a Leaf. Will definitely miss his physicality." Benoit has been a reliable physical defender, known for blocking shots and playing a gritty game.

Although Benoit's role in the team was mostly about defense, and he rarely made it to the highlights, people’s reactions to his departure showed the amount of respect he earned from Toronto's audience. 

Some fans kept it simple by commenting, "All the best, Benny!!!!" 

For many fans, his identity was a reliable presence on the blue line, and his exit marked the end of his time, which was full of effort.

Share your thoughts on Benoit's departure from Toronto.

Read more at NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar