Exciting News to Share Involving Maple Leafs' First Round Pick Ben Danford
The Toronto Maple Leafs' first round pick of the 2024 NHL draft Ben Danford received some exciting news on Wednesday evening.
Danford was originally set to compete in his first NHL training camp this fall, but unfortunately a hit from training camp invitee Marshall Finnie during a Prospect Showcase practice left Danford with a concussion, forcing him out of both the Prospect Showcase in Montreal and most of Leafs training camp.
Now on the mend and trending towards a return, Danford has officially received some tremendous news from his junior club in the Ontario Hockey League.
The Oshawa Generals announced on Wednesday afternoon that the young defenseman will be the team's new captain, beginning this season. It's very fitting for a player known for his competitiveness and leadership on the ice and his presence in the locker room. Danford was an assistant captain last year and was also the captain of his AAA hockey team, the Quinte Red Devils, before arriving in the OHL.
Fans will finally get a chance to see more of the new Maple Leaf leading his hockey club this fall and see why scouts and teammates rave about his hockey I.Q. and defensive awareness. For a team that's struggled to find and develop a good defensive prospects for years, Danford is someone to get excited about.
Drafted at the end of the first round with the 31st overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in Vegas, Danford not only brings an incredible work ethic and a strong defensive presence to the Leafs' prospect pool, but he also grew up a massive Toronto Maple Leafs fan. You want guys who compete, but you also want guys who want to be here. Danford is both.
The hope is that the young defenseman can take another step this season in Oshawa and come back to Leafs training camp next fall with an additional year of development, and some additional size, strength and leadership. We all know that it takes defensemen a little longer to develop than forwards, but something tells me that Danford will be knocking on the door before too long.
