Ben Danford of the Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals was chosen by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the 31st overall choice in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Ben Danford is a classic two-way defenseman with a toolbox that is simple to project to the NHL, which might make him a surprise selection in the 2024 NHL Draft. He only scored 33 points in 64 games against the Oshwa Generals, so his scoring potential is a little limited, but he still has good defensive instincts and space to improve as a player.
Danford is a first-round pick because of his intangibles. He is an excellent skater with a powerful stick, a high hockey IQ, the ability to blast into the zone to generate opportunities, and the ability to quickly transition into a defensive-focused second pairing position. You need a right-shot defenseman who can play for 17 minutes a night, be dependable on the penalty kill, and make the proper decisions to keep the puck out of your net. Granted, this isn’t the most thrilling thing to say about a guy.
The Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2023–2024 had Ben Danford as their best defenseman. He is already a terrific defender in his second year of the league, and he can score goals as well. At his finest, he is a very conventional two-way defenseman who will always choose defense before offense, making the Generals a superior team. Another aspect of him that the team values is his leadership. He frequently appears in front of the media and is among the first players to defend his teammates.
Danford makes the defensive play by using his excellent skating skills to maintain tight gap control as the ball comes toward him. Whether it’s a powerful hip-check or a rough board fight, he can be physical, and he constantly takes advantage of it.
Danford picks up the coverage he has to be on quickly after the puck is deep in the defensive end. He will be among the first players into the fray if the puck is in his corner; if not, he makes the experience of waiting in front of the net unpleasant. He makes a quick pass out of the zone as soon as the puck lands on his stick. He can locate an open player to pass to and isn’t the type of defenseman who ice the puck frequently.
Though it might not have been the most thrilling choice, Danford seems like the right one for the Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs have a glaring need for a right-shot defenseman, therefore they were in dire need of adding one to their pool of prospects.
They acquired a fantastic player in Danford, who projects to the NHL in three to five years and possesses strong defensive skills. Even though it may seem like a minor stretch at pick 31, this is a move that improves the Maple Leafs in the long run and may not be the glamorous, home run choice that fans were looking for.
