Toronto Maple Leafs’ first-round selection Ben Danford has been named captain of the Oshawa Generals for the 2024-25 season.
Danford was selected 31st overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2024 NHL Draft, where he was lauded for his defensive ability, rush defence, while showing significant improvement offensively. Toronto traded down, sending the No. 23 pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the No. 31 and No. 58 selections — the latter of which was traded in a swap with the Florida Panthers.
The 18-year-old aced the first impression test at summer development camp but he suffered a concussion on September 12, during a practice ahead of the 2024 Prospect Showdown. Danford was loaned to Oshawa by the Maple Leafs on September 30.
Here’s what Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis wrote about Danford prior to the draft:
For a defenceman with Danford’s offensive abilities, it’s crazy he had just one goal during the regular season with Oshawa. But he’s a guy his teammates like to rely on because he’s rarely caught making a mistake distributing the puck. I’ve seen Danford play both sides on the blueline this year but I think he’s got something going on the left side – it fits his shot better.
Danford recorded one goal and 33 points in 64 regular season games, before adding four goals and 10 points in 21 playoff games for the Generals. He was the 14th overall pick in the 2022 OHL Draft and has been widely considered among the top players in his age cohort since it’s been publicly tracked. Danford is expected to take a major leap in major junior this season as the Generals look to compete for a Memorial Cup.
Danford is joined by Calum Ritchie, Luke Torrance, Matthew Buckley and Luca Marrelli among Oshawa’s leadership group. Ritchie is a 2023 first-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche, selected 27th overall.
