Ben Danford

Ben Danford
Born (2006-02-06) February 6, 2006 (age 18)
Madoc, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 188 lb (85 kg; 13 st 6 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Toronto Maple Leafs
Oshawa Generals (OHL)
NHL draft 31st overall, 2024
Toronto Maple Leafs

Ben Danford (born February 6, 2006) is a Canadian junior ice hockey defenceman for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as a prospect to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 31st overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

[edit]

On April 20, 2022, Danford was drafted 14th overall by the Oshawa Generals in the 2022 OHL Draft.[1] On May 13, 2022, he signed with the Generals.[2] During the 2022–23 season, in his first season with the Generals, he recorded four goals and 17 assists in 63 regular season games.[3] During the 2023–24 season, he recorded one goal and 32 assists in 64 regular season games. During the playoffs he recorded four goals and six assists in 21 games.[4][5]

On June 28, 2024, Danford was drafted 31st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2024 NHL entry draft.[6][7] He was later signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs on August 2, 2024.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

Danford's father, Allan, was drafted in the 15th round of the 1987 OHL Draft by the Toronto Marlboros.[9] His family owns a construction company, Danford Construction.[10]

Career statistics

[edit]

Regular season and playoffs

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2022–23 Oshawa Generals OHL 63 4 17 21 42 5 0 1 1 0
2023–24 Oshawa Generals OHL 64 1 32 33 25 21 4 6 10 22
OHL totals 127 5 49 54 67 26 4 7 11 22

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2022 Canada Red U17 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 1 1 2 10
2023 Canada HG18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 0 0 0 4
Junior totals 12 1 1 2 14

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sweetland, Josh (May 5, 2022). "#OHLDraft Introductions: 14th Overall Pick Ben Danford (Oshawa Generals)". chl.ca. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "14th overall selection Ben Danford commits to Generals". chl.ca. May 13, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  3. ^ "Ben Danford picked 31st overall by Toronto Maple Leafs at 2024 NHL Draft". chl.ca. June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  4. ^ Gad, Adham (March 24, 2022). "Maple Leafs' first-round pick Ben Danford 'will do anything to win'". Sportsnet. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  5. ^ McCarthy, Rowan (June 24, 2024). "Where will Ben Danford go in the 2024 NHL draft?". The Hockey News. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  6. ^ Koshan, Terry (June 28, 2024). "Maple Leafs trade down in first round, take D-man Danford". Toronto Sun. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  7. ^ Siegel, Jonas; Kloke, Joshua (June 29, 2024). "The Maple Leafs' prospect pool is thin on defence. Enter Ben Danford". The Athletic. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  8. ^ "Maple Leafs sign 2024 first-round draft pick Ben Danford". Toronto Maple Leafs. August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  9. ^ Gad, Adham (March 24, 2022). "Danford Following in Dad's Footsteps as he Captains Red Devils". omha.net. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  10. ^ McGran, Kevin (June 29, 2024). "Maple Leafs select Oshawa Generals defenceman who can do a little heavy lifting". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Toronto Maple Leafs first round draft pick
2024
Succeeded by
Incumbent