Toronto Maple Leafs prospect named Captain of the Oshawa Generals

The Toronto Maple Leafs training camp was supposed to be a big learning experience for Ben Danford who was drafted in the first round this past summer, unfortunately, a concussion sustained during the prospects camp at the beginning of September limited his opportunity.

Nobody expected the 18-year old to be banging down doors for a spot on the blue line for the 2024-25 Toronto Maple Leafs, but nonetheless it had to be disappointing for Danford not to get a bit more of a taste.

Earlier this week, Danford was loaned back to the Oshawa Generals, his junior team that he helped reach the 2024 Ontario Hockey League Championship series.

On Wednesday afternoon, after serving as the alternate captain last season, Danford was named the captain of the Oshawa Generals which will be a team that will be contending for the Memorial Cup next spring.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect named Captain of the Oshawa Generals

Danford joins former star players such as John Tavares, Boone Jenner and Eric Lindros to wear the "C" on his Generals jersey.

Danford will look to have a big draft plus one season as the Generals are loading up on for a Memorial Cup run after acquiring Owen Sound captain and Winnipeg Jets 2023 first round pick Colby Barlow on Thursday to join him along with Colorado Avalanche top prospect Calum Ritchie who is still with his NHL club in training camp.

The only thing that could slow down the team is the fact that all three of these players could end up on Canada's World Junior Team at Christmas where they would have to play without trio for a few weeks.

The Maple Leafs selected Danford this past draft with the 31st overall pick after trading down from the 23rd overall selection. General Manager Brad Treliving added the 58th overall pick, however flipped that again for pick #225 and a second round selection in next year's draft. With pick 225, the Maple Leafs selected Nathan Mayes who is a defenseman currently playing with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL where he has one point through three games.

Danford was seen as a reach for the Leafs at 31 because he projects to be a defensive player in the NHL, if he makes it at all. He doesn't have the offense for stardom, and many people are of the opinion that you should use your first round pick on players with a higher upside.

That said, Danford has a lot to reccomend him as a future leader in the NHL, and the Leafs seem to have guessed right on Easton Cowan, a player people also thought was taken too high.