The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenceman Ben Danford to a three-year, entry-level contract on <a href="https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-sign-2024-first-round-pick-ben-danford-to-three-year-entry-level-contract">Friday</a>, the team announced in a release.
Danford was selected 31st overall by the Maple Leafs at the 2024 NHL Draft, playing for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. The 18-year-old was lauded for his defensive abilities, excelling in rush defence and transition scenarios. Danford recorded one goal and 33 points in 64 regular season games, then added four goals and 10 points in 21 postseason contests for Oshawa.
<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2024-nhl-draft-hub-scouting-reports-rankings-interviews-and-so-much-more">Daily Faceoff&#8217;s Steven Ellis</a> provided a comprehensive scouting report of Danford&#8217;s game prior to the 2024 NHL Draft:
&#8220;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.&#8221;
Danford appeared to <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/ben-danford-aces-first-impression-maple-leafs-development-camp">ace the first impression test</a> at Maple Leafs development camp earlier this summer, while former Maple Leafs director of amateur scouting Wes Clark raved about his defensive intelligence. Clark has since joined the Pittsburgh Penguins as their vice president of player personnel.
&#8220;Elite intangibles,&#8221; Clark said of Danford to <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/why-maple-leafs-traded-for-chris-tanev-with-free-agency-hours-away/">Sportsnet&#8217;s Luke Fox</a>. &#8220;Excellent defensive instincts. Just checks all the boxes that we were looking for. The upside, I think, is sky high&#8230;. Ben was pretty much the target all the way along. So, lucky we got him.&#8221;
<div>Danford was a first-round pick in the Ontario Hockey League just two seasons ago and has been one of the best players in his age group since scouts have reviewed the cohort, selected 14th overall by Oshawa from the Quinte Red Devils. He was Quinte&#8217;s captain and is considered to be a natural leader. Danford immediately projects to be one of Toronto&#8217;s best prospects and could be the most promising defenceman the team has developed in-house since Morgan Rielly.</div>
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The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenceman Ben Danford to a three-year, entry-level contract on <a href="https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/maple-leafs-sign-2024-first-round-pick-ben-danford-to-three-year-entry-level-contract">Friday</a>, the team announced in a release.

Danford was selected 31st overall by the Maple Leafs at the 2024 NHL Draft, playing for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League. The 18-year-old was lauded for his defensive abilities, excelling in rush defence and transition scenarios. Danford recorded one goal and 33 points in 64 regular season games, then added four goals and 10 points in 21 postseason contests for Oshawa.

<a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2024-nhl-draft-hub-scouting-reports-rankings-interviews-and-so-much-more">Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis</a> provided a comprehensive scouting report of Danford's game prior to the 2024 NHL 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 appeared to <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/ben-danford-aces-first-impression-maple-leafs-development-camp">ace the first impression test</a> at Maple Leafs development camp earlier this summer, while former Maple Leafs director of amateur scouting Wes Clark raved about his defensive intelligence. Clark has since joined the Pittsburgh Penguins as their vice president of player personnel.

"Elite intangibles," Clark said of Danford to <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/why-maple-leafs-traded-for-chris-tanev-with-free-agency-hours-away/">Sportsnet's Luke Fox</a>. "Excellent defensive instincts. Just checks all the boxes that we were looking for. The upside, I think, is sky high.... Ben was pretty much the target all the way along. So, lucky we got him."
<div>Danford was a first-round pick in the Ontario Hockey League just two seasons ago and has been one of the best players in his age group since scouts have reviewed the cohort, selected 14th overall by Oshawa from the Quinte Red Devils. He was Quinte's captain and is considered to be a natural leader. Danford immediately projects to be one of Toronto's best prospects and could be the most promising defenceman the team has developed in-house since Morgan Rielly.</div>
<a href="https://nationgear.ca/"><img class="alignnone wp-image-129407 size-full" src="https://publish.canucksarmy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2099/08/Article.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" /></a>
The Nation Gear Out of Office Summer Sale is here, and it's one week only! We're taking 20% off your entire order — yes, you heard that right, 20% off! Some exclusions apply, but don't let that stop you from snagging the best deals of the season. And it gets even better! Spend over $200, and we'll throw in free shipping — shop 'til you drop and let us handle the shipping costs.
So what are you waiting for? Head over to <a href="http://nationgear.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://nationgear.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1722379874701000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1_fMFSToUz5XOXEclvxLek">nationgear.ca</a> and grab your favourite gear before it’s gone — we may have even snuck in a few surprise items available ONLY THIS WEEK ;)

Maple Leafs sign Ben Danford to 3-year, entry-level contract

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