Ben Danford

Last updated
Ben Danford
Born (2006-02-06) February 6, 2006 (age 19)
Madoc, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 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.

Contents

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] Upon his return, the Generals named him the team captain for the new season, which he called “surreal.” He had 5 goals and 20 assists in 61 games in the regular season, [10] and was named a Third Team All-Star. [11] In the postseason, Danford led the Generals on another deep run to the OHL Finals, where they faced the London Knights for the second consecutive year, and were again defeated. Danford had 2 goals and 3 assists in 21 playoff games. [10]

Personal life

Danford's father, Allan, was drafted in the 15th round of the 1987 OHL Draft by the Toronto Marlboros. [12] His family owns a construction company, Danford Construction. [13]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2022–23 Oshawa Generals OHL 63417214250110
2023–24 Oshawa GeneralsOHL64132332521461022
2024–25 Oshawa GeneralsOHL615202568212354
OHL totals188106979135266101626

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2022 Canada Red U17 Silver medal icon.svg711210
2023 Canada HG18 Gold medal icon.svg50004
Junior totals1211214

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
OHL
Third All-Star Team 2025 [11]

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. 1 2 Doerfler, Evan (May 28, 2025). "'I Can Hold My Own': Maple Leafs Prospect Ben Danford Embraces Physical Edge, Leadership Role In First Season As Generals' Captain". The Hockey News . Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  11. 1 2 "OHL Announces 2024-25 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams". Canadian Hockey League. May 30, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  12. Gad, Adham (March 24, 2022). "Danford Following in Dad's Footsteps as he Captains Red Devils". omha.net. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  13. McGran, Kevin (June 29, 2024). "Maple Leafs select Oshawa Generals defenceman who can do a little heavy lifting". Toronto Star . Retrieved June 28, 2024.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Toronto Maple Leafs first round draft pick
2024
Succeeded by
Tinus Luc Koblar