Ben Danford

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.

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

Playing career

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] During a Maple Leafs' rookie camp scrimmage, Danford suffered a concussion after receiving a hit to the head by invitee Marshall Finnie. The concussion caused him to miss the Prospect Showdown against the Montreal Canadiens and the Maple Leafs training camp. On September 30, Danford was loaned back to the Oshawa Generals.^[9]

Personal life

Danford's father, Allan, was drafted in the 15th round of the 1987 OHL Draft by the Toronto Marlboros.^[10] His family owns a construction company, Danford Construction.^[11]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				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

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2022	Canada Red	U17			7	1	1	2	10
2023	Canada	HG18			5	0	0	0	4
Junior totals					12	1	1	2	14

References

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. Barden, Nick (2024-09-30). "Maple Leafs Send Defensive Prospect Ben Danford Back to OHL's Oshawa Generals After Recovery From Concussion". The Hockey News. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
10. Gad, Adham (March 24, 2022). "Danford Following in Dad's Footsteps as he Captains Red Devils". omha.net. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
11. McGran, Kevin (June 29, 2024). "Maple Leafs select Oshawa Generals defenceman who can do a little heavy lifting". Toronto Star. Retrieved June 28, 2024.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Easton Cowan	Toronto Maple Leafs first round draft pick 2024	Succeeded by Incumbent