Ben Danford Explained

Ben Danford
Birth Date:	6 February 2006
Birth Place:	Madoc, Ontario, Canada
Height Ft:	6
Height In:	1
Weight Lb:	188
Shoots:	Right
League:	NHL
Team:	Toronto Maple Leafs
Prospect League:	OHL
Prospect Team:	Oshawa Generals
Draft:	31st overall
Draft Year:	2024
Draft Team:	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

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

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

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

Notes and References

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