In a shocking turn of events at today’s Toronto Maple Leafs rookie camp scrimmage, first-round pick Ben Danford was forced to leave the ice after being on the receiving end of a brutal hit.
The young defenseman was slammed hard into the boards, with his head bearing the brunt of the impact. Despite getting back up momentarily, Danford was promptly assessed for a head injury on the bench before eventually skating off to the dressing room.
“He’s being evaluated right now. Hopefully he’ll be OK,” expressed Toronto Marlies head coach John Gruden, voicing the concerns of the entire Maple Leafs organization.
While Gruden admitted to not having a clear view of the hit, prospect Marshall Finnie shed some light on how the play unfolded. The 18-year-old blueliner was selected 31st overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2024 NHL Draft just a few months ago, following a successful season with the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League.
During his time with the Generals, Danford managed to tally one goal and 33 points in 64 games, aiding his team in reaching the OHL Championship Series. In his combined two-year tenure with the Generals, the Madoc, Ontario native has recorded a total of five goals and 54 points across 127 career OHL appearances.
Furthermore, Danford showcased his skills on an international level by representing Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he contributed to the team’s gold medal triumph by featuring in five games.
The hockey world now anxiously awaits further updates on Danford’s condition and hopes for a swift recovery for the promising young talent as he strives to make his mark in the NHL.
