The Toronto Maple Leafs played their first preseason game on Sunday on the road, and coach Craig Berube was impressed by one player.
Ben Danford, the Maple Leafs’ top defensive prospect, played in the game on the road and had a standout game. The defensive defenseman did a good job shutting down players, and Berube said Danford’s performance ‘was impressive.’
“I thought Ben Danford played a good, solid hockey game,” Berube said. “It is not a flashy game by any means. But it is just about the first pass, defending well, and playing a hard game. He was pretty much mistake-free. It was impressive.”
Danford was selected 31st overall in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft by Toronto. The 6-foot-2 defenseman is known for being a shutdown defenseman and a physical defenseman who is trying to earn a roster spot.
Although Berube was impressed with Danford, it’s unlikely the defenseman will earn a roster spot. Instead, he will likely return to the OHL and perhaps even make Team Canada at the World Juniors this season to continue his development.
Danford Believes He’s a Pro Player
Danford has been impressive in training camp, and he believes he is a pro player right now.
However, Danford can’t play in the AHL, as he will either be in the NHL or have to get sent back to junior. Starting next year, one 19-year-old can play in the AHL instead of the NHL, which Danford wishes had gone into effect this season.
“If it ever did happen this year and if I put myself in a good spot this training camp and showed that I could play good minutes at the AHL level, that’d be something that would help me out: playing against men and being a year ahead in my development,” Danford said to The Athletic. “But at the same time, junior’s a different thing too, because I go back to junior and I’m going to play a lot of minutes.”
However, Danford will be going back to the OHL as the Maple Leafs have one of the top defensive units in the NHL.
“This year, it’s a big year for me,” Danford said. “It’s my last year of junior. I want to go back and work on every aspect of the game.”
Maple Leafs Coach Happy With Preseason Win
Toronto beat the Ottawa Senators 4-3 in the first preseason game of the season.
The Maple Leafs were impressive in the win, and Berube was pleased with some players battling for a roster spot.
“I thought our veteran guys — Kampf and Jarnkrok — did a good job of leading the way and playing the right way,” Berube said. “Easton Cowan was good tonight. He played a simple game. He did some good things out there. And Nick Robertson. All in all, I was pretty happy with the whole team… We were good tonight, which is good, and gotta be physical. And then five guys on the ice that are together out there and stick up for each other. Which was good to see tonight.”
The Maple Leafs host the Senators on Sept. 23.
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