Team Canada Reveals What Leafs Prospect Ben Danford Has to do to Make WJC Team
Photo credit: RDS
Maple Leafs Prospect Ben Danford reveals the advice given to him by Jake Muzzin and what Hockey Canada told him he needs to do to make the WJC team.
A month after being selected by the Maple Leafs 31st overall in the 2024 entry draft, Ben Danford put pen to paper and signed an entry-level contract with the Leafs.
After signing his deal, Danford returned to the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League for his third season. Throughout the season, the 19-year-old gave Leafs Nation a preview of what to expect when he turns pro, delivering several thunderous hits.
Not the flashiest or most offensive defenseman, Danford took a major step forward in his development last year on the defensive side of the puck.
The strides Danford made during the season for the Generals landed him a top-four spot on Team Canada's blueline for the World Junior Summer Showcase -- no small feat for the defensive specialist given that he was one of 12 defensemen named to the roster and competing against the likes of Matthew Schaefer, Zayne Parekh, Sam Dickinson, and Kashawn Aitcheson.
Prior to the Summer Showcase, Danford shared that former Leafs defenseman, now player development coach, Jake Muzzin told him to make simple decisions with the puck -- something that Hockey Canada also preached to the team.
"They've talked about sticking to your role here. Don't get out of character, so just playing my type of game," he said. "Offensively, I can try and pitch in a little bit and keep improving that way, but defense first and play a hard, physical style of defense."
Although Danford set a career-high with five goals last season, Hockey Canada clearly sees him as one of their shut-down defensemen, given the amount of offensive talent they already have.
Left off of last year's World Junior team, Danford is hoping to stick to his role, but stand out enough during the Summer Showcase to secure a roster spot for the World Juniors in December.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 29 | 826 ANSWERS Team Canada Reveals What Leafs Prospect Ben Danford Has to do to Make WJC Team Where do you see Ben Danford fitting into the Leafs' roster when he finally turns pro? | ||
| Top pair | 85 | 10.3 % |
| 2nd pair | 378 | 45.8 % |
| 3rd pair | 285 | 34.5 % |
| Extra D | 78 | 9.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
