The Leafs and GM Brad Treliving surprised many when they first traded down from the 23rd overall pick to the 31st overall pick and again when they selected Ben Danford. Danford was not considered to be a first round pick, but neither was Easton Cowan when the Leafs selected him at 28 overall at last year's draft.
Danford, a lifelong Leafs fan, was ecstatic when he got up on stage, shaking the hands of Brad Treliving, Craig Berube, and Wes Clark. However, he was so excited to put on the Leafs jersey that he actually snubbed Gary Bettman's handshake attempt in favour of pulling on the jersey and putting on his new Leafs hat.
Fans may not have been pleased with the pick initially, but snubbing Bettman instantly made him a fan favourite, not just of the Leafs but of pretty much every NHL fan.
The 6'1 defenseman fills a void in the Leafs' organization as he is a right-shot blueliner, which the organization does not have in abundance, and although he isn't the biggest, he isn't afraid to block shots and be physical. As Treliving said in his post-draft interview, he's a player that is difficult to find and the Leafs are hoping that the early returns will be similar to what we have seen from Cowan this past season.
