Maple Leafs Send Top Prospect Back to Junior After Stellar Training Camp

After an impressive training camp and standout preseason performance, Ben Danford, the Maple Leafs' 2024 first-round draft pick, has officially been reassigned to the Oshawa Generals, per the team's official PR account.

While it's always bittersweet to see a promising young player sent back to junior, this move is far from a blemish on his record -- it's simply the next step in what looks like a very bright future for the Belleville, Ontario native.

Danford, who is the captain of the Oshawa Generals, has earned widespread praise for his maturity, defensive instincts, and ability to thrive in high-pressure situations.

His physical play along the boards and confidence defending against top competitors have already caught the attention of Craig Berube and the Maple Leafs' coaching staff, who've spoken highly of his already mature style of play.

At just 19 years old, Danford has already shown he can hang with NHL-caliber players, but returning to Oshawa gives him the chance to further develop his leadership and fine-tune his offensive game before making the full jump to professional hockey.

As the Generals' captain, he's expected to once again lead them on a deep playoff run, much like he has the past two seasons. For Toronto, Danford's continued growth fills a crucial role that the Maple Leafs have tried to find a long-term solution to for years.

A reliable right-shot defenseman capable of handling tough minutes, Danford's skill set fits the mold perfectly for Brad Treliving and Craig Berube. With veterans like Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson entering the latter stages of their careers, the timing couldn't be better for a young defender to rise through the ranks.

Leafs Nation may need to wait another year or two, but all signs point to Danford becoming a key part of Toronto's blue line in the near future.