The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Monday that they had loaned prospect defenceman Ben Danford to the Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals.
The @MapleLeafs have loaned defenceman Ben Danford to the Oshawa Generals (OHL).
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) September 30, 2024
Danford was selected in the first round, 31st overall, by the Maple Leafs in the most recent draft. The Madoc, Ontario native recorded 33 points in 64 games in his second season as an Oshawa General last year along with four goals and ten points in 21 playoff games. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds, he’s a right-handed defenceman with strong defensive and puck-moving instincts with belief that his offensive game can grow and shape him into a reliable two-way blueliner. His addition to the prospect pool fills a dire need that the Leafs have on the right side, with Topi Niemela being arguably the only right-handed defenceman in the system with genuine NHL aspirations.
Danford was unfortunately forced to miss both the prospect showdown and preseason with the Leafs after taking a hard hit from development camp invite Marshall Finnie during practice a couple of weeks ago. The play resulted in a concussion, although as TheScore’s Kyle Cushman points out, the fact that the Leafs loaned him back to Oshawa should be a positive sign in terms of his recovery.
Very good sign here. Would imagine this means Danford is either ready to play or very close https://t.co/IOlmTsl0PR
— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) September 30, 2024
The Leafs are expected to announce another round of roster cuts soon as the regular season looms, with only two preseason games remaining against the Detroit Red Wings. It’s worth noting that Easton Cowan and Nikita Grebenkin are still skating with the Leafs, despite the expected signing Max Pacioretty to a one-year contract following the completion of his PTO (professional tryout) and the possibility of bringing Steven Lorentz on board.
The Maple Leafs are back in action this coming Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, visiting them on the road before taking things back to Scotiabank Arena for one final tilt on Saturday before the real show begins against the Montreal Canadiens on October 8.
