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As a first-round draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ben Danford already has the highest of expectations thrust upon him in his young hockey career. Every player brought into the Maple Leafs organization is on some level expected to be the savior of the city, ending the sport’s longest Stanley Cup drought and finally bringing glory to the National Hockey League’s most popular franchise.
Growing up as a Maple Leafs fan, the small town Ontario born and raised defenceman undoubtedly understands the media and fan frenzy that awaits him and will be judging every decision he makes both on and off the ice. Though, even outside of his knowledge of what’s to come, Danford feels like he was built in a lab destined to be a Maple Leafs fan favourite, especially by the lunchpail carrying faithful old school hockey fans that make up the mystical rowdy uncle demographic.
The first thing anyone noticed about him on draft night was of course that he fills one of Toronto’s biggest needs. A right handed defenceman with a bit of size to him who plays every shift with energy. Danford was praised by many on his shot blocking ability, including new franchise-mate and OHL rival Easton Cowan whose London Knights met Danford’s Oshawa Generals in the 2024 OHL Championship finals.
Beyond his strong defensive play, Danford has also received praise for his still-developing offensive abilities, showing a step forward in last season’s playoffs when he potted four goals in 21 playoff games after managing just a single goal throughout the OHL’s regular season.
What may endear him most to the rabid fans who speak fondly of the Gilmour and Clark eras however is Danford’s leadership abilities. He has captained a number of teams throughout his youth teams and was added to Oshawa’s leadership team last season, wearing an A for the Generals. With former Generals captain Stuart Rolofs aging out of the OHL, Danford is a likely candidate to be named team captain for the upcoming season.
If that wasn’t enough, Danford is also a relentless workhorse, both on and off the ice. His father owns a construction company and Danford has stated he can operate all sorts of heavy machinery including excavators and backhoes, painting an image of a rugged blue collar hockey player that an entire generation of Leafs fans has been fantasizing about for decades.
The one knock that the collective uncles of Ontario may have on Danford is his karaoke choice being Sweet Caroline, a song synonymous with Boston sports. While nobody can be perfect, there’s sure to be at least one weathered classic rock fan hoping that Toronto’s first round pick decides to pivot to Rush’s Tom Sawyer as his song of choice, especially if the Maple Leafs decide to implement custom goal songs for each player by the time Danford makes it to the show.
It remains to be seen just how long until the Maple Leafs newest top prospect makes his mark on the NHL, but the narrative of his success story is already beginning to form before our very eyes. Danford has the physicals, history, and attitude necessary to not only be a star for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but a fan favourite amongst every rowdy uncle, dive bar patron and chaotic fan of classic rock’em sock’em hockey.
