The Toronto Maple Leafs have assigned top defensive prospect Ben Danford to the Toronto Marlies, just a week after his junior team, the Brantford Bulldogs, were eliminated from the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. The 20-year-old defenceman will now join the Marlies as they prepare for the American Hockey League's North Division final against the Cleveland Monsters.
Danford's Junior Career Ends Earlier Than Hoped
The end of Ben Danford's junior hockey career did not go as planned. The Bulldogs had loaded up this season with the goal of winning the OHL championship and earning a spot in the Memorial Cup in Kelowna, British Columbia. That ambition led them to acquire Danford from the Oshawa Generals at the end of October. After sweeping both the Sudbury Wolves and the North Bay Battalion in earlier playoff rounds, the Bulldogs fell to the Barrie Colts in a seven-game Eastern Conference final series.
Danford's move to Brantford was driven by a desire to win an OHL title. That hunger had only grown after he and the Generals lost in the OHL final to the London Knights in each of the previous two seasons. Reflecting on those near-misses, Danford said in March, "You think about how fun the playoffs are and everything, but how tough that pill is to swallow to be runner-up. There's definitely a little more fire left in me."
Impressive Season and Recognitions
Despite the disappointing finish, Danford put together a strong season. In 45 regular-season games, the right-shooting defenceman recorded 20 points. He added three points in 13 playoff games. His defensive abilities did not go unnoticed. In the annual OHL coaches poll, Danford was voted the best defensive defenceman and the best shot blocker in the Eastern Conference. He also finished second in voting for the best penalty killer, underscoring his value on special teams.
Next Stop: AHL Playoffs with the Marlies
Now, Danford will take his talents to the professional ranks with the Toronto Marlies. The Marlies are set to face the Cleveland Monsters in a best-of-five North Division final in the AHL's Calder Cup playoffs. Game 1 is scheduled for Thursday in Cleveland. The assignment gives Danford a chance to continue his development and contribute to the Marlies' postseason push.
