Toronto Maple Leafs officially sign 2024 first round pick Ben Danford
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed 2024 NHL Entry Draft first-round pick Ben Danford to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced.
Danford, a defenseman, was selected 31st by the Maple Leafs in the 2024 NHL Draft. Danford had a goal and 33 points in 64 games in the Ontario Hockey League with the Oshawa Generals. Danford had 4 goals and 10 points in 21 OHL playoff games with Oshawa.
In the draft rankings, Danford was ranked 35 by NHL Central Scouting for North American skaters. TSN's Bob McKenzie's polling of NHL scouts ranked Danford 54th.
Danford was one of two Oshawa Generals to be selected in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, with teammate Beckett Sennecke going third overall to the Anaheim Ducks.
A favorite of then-head scout Wes Clark, who has since joined the Pittsburgh Penguins as the team's Vice President of Player Personnel. Leafs GM Brad Treliving told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman the scouting team felt comfortable trading down from 23rd for Danford.
| POLL | ||
Do you believe Ben Danford will make the officially Toronto Maple Leafs roster this year? | ||
| Yes | 70 | 28.8 % |
| No | 173 | 71.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
