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Time of India
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'It was surreal': Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford finds leadership in breakthrough season with Oshawa Generals
Ben Danford (via Getty Images) When the Oshawa Generals awarded Ben Danford the 'C' to begin the 2024–25 OHL season, they weren't simply presenting the letter to a veteran returnee. They were charging a third-year defenseman with being the pulse of a franchise rich in history. Now that the season concludes with another deep playoff run and another consecutive OHL Finals appearance, the 19-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has not only solidified himself as a reliable leader but as a player refashioning his game. Ben Danford leans into leadership, physicality and 200-foot game in breakout OHL season as Oshawa Generals' captain View this post on Instagram A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv) The Oshawa Generals reached the OHL Championship Series once again, only to fall to the London Knights in five games — a bitter déjà vu after being swept by the same team in 2024. Despite winning Game 1 on the road, the Oshawa Generals dropped the next four games, handing London their only loss of the playoffs. 'It was surreal,' Ben Danford said. 'It was an honor to wear the 'C' on a team like Oshawa, especially the organization behind me. All the great players that have come through and the captains that have come through the organization. There's a lot of leaders on our team this year so I was really honored to get recognized like that.' Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo One of the largest alterations in Danford's game this year was his adoption of a more physical, attacking brand of play — something he credits partly to Generals assistant coach Patrick Sexton. 'I feel like it's something that's a part of the game that you lay a big hit, sometimes you have to answer the bell. I feel like I'm comfortable doing that type of thing,' Danford said. 'I'm not a heavyweight by any means, but I can hold my own. I feel throughout my whole game, defensively, that's obviously the strong attribute of my game. I thought I got better that way and got more physical, I wanted to bring that component to my game. Offensively, I didn't get as many looks as I maybe wanted. Maybe my points are what I was looking for. I was really happy throughout my whole season. My 200-foot game, that's kind of what I look at. Defense first, and offense is there.' Even though Danford's season point tally fell from 33 to 25, he did score more goals than last year and assumed more responsibility under all circumstances. His 200-foot game impressed the Maple Leafs, who selected Danford 31st overall in 2024 and are following his development closely. Having scored five points (2G, 3A) in 21 playoff appearances, Danford believes he is now ready for the next level — but is aware consistency will be the watchword. 'I feel like they're (Leafs) happy with my season. I think personally, something I could get better at is consistency, at times. As the year went on, I think I got a lot more consistent with my game, but as things started to pick up after Christmas, I thought I was a lot better. Before that, I felt I was a bit inconsistent at times,' Danford explained. What's next? With the 2025 offseason on the horizon, Danford's mind is laser focused: get better, make a good impression at Toronto's development camp, and one step closer to being a full-time pro. 'I think they were happy with my game, and yeah, they just want to see me just keep getting better and better, especially this offseason – it's a huge offseason for me. Getting stronger, faster, doing anything to be that much better next season,' Danford added. Also read: Toronto Maple Leafs brace for impact; Mitch Marner contract negotiations stall before 2025 free agency As he develops his game — leadership, physicality, two-way dependability — Danford is showing he's more than a future NHL defensemen, but a player willing to take the spotlight, pressure, and battle. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘I Can Hold My Own': Maple Leafs Prospect Ben Danford Embraces Physical Edge, Leadership Role In First Season As Generals' Captain
When the Oshawa Generals named up-and-coming defenseman Ben Danford captain to start the 2024-25 season, they handed the responsibility to a hard-nosed blue liner entering his third OHL campaign. Now, at the season's end, the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has emerged not only as a leader but as a tone-setter going forward. In a sit-down interview with TSN's Mark Masters on Monday, Danford looked back on a season marked by personal development, increased responsibility, and the highs and lows of leading the Generals through another deep playoff run. 'It was surreal,' Danford said of being named captain. 'It was an honor to wear the 'C' on a team like Oshawa, especially the organization behind me. All the great players that have come through and the captains that have come through the organization. There's a lot of leaders on our team this year so I was really honored to get recognized like that.' #LeafsForever prospect Ben Danford reflects on season:🏒Landing more big hits🏒Comfortable fighting 🥊🏒First year as captain🏒Goals, shots increase 📈🏒Competing with pal Cowan🏒Getting advice from Muzzin1-on-1 with @Oshawa_Generals d-man 👇 — Mark Masters (@markhmasters) May 27, 2025 The Generals reached the OHL Championship Series for a second straight year but, once again, fell short, losing in five games to the London Knights. Despite winning Game 1 on the road, Oshawa dropped four straight, handing London its only loss of the 2025 playoffs. It marked the second consecutive season that the Generals bowed out of the playoffs in the finals to the Knights, previously getting swept in the 2024 championship series. 'We had lows and highs throughout the whole year,' Danford told Masters. 'At the end of the day, we came short of our end goal of winning the championship. I'm really proud of our group and what we accomplished, but it's a tough pill to swallow. Going to back-to-back finals and losing both times, it's really tough.' 'The Second He Called My Name, I Kind Of Blacked Out': Maple Leafs First-Round Pick Ben Danford Reflects on Being Selected by Toronto The Leafs selected Danford with the 31st pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Though the ending stung, Danford's personal growth was positive, he says. The 19-year-old leaned into a more physical identity this year, thanks in part to Generals assistant coach Patrick Sexton. That included but was not limited to, laying open-ice hits and becoming more assertive in creating plays that could help swing the momentum of the game. 'Right when we first met, he thought just the way I play – I'm a competitive guy and the way I can skate – he thought that's something I can bring into my game,' Danford explained. 'He showed me some tips and tricks, and I kinda got the hang of it. I'm looking for those open-ice hits, not chasing them or anything, but hits like that can change the tide of the game. Change the energy. I enjoyed bringing that component to that part of my game, helping out my team that way.' 'I think it's just all timing,' he added. 'Just looking at their feet, seeing if their heads are down or whatnot. Just kind of a feel thing if you can get it done or not.' With physicality comes accountability, sometimes in the form of a fight, which Danford did not shy away from, engaging in four brawls during the 2024-25 season. 'I feel like it's something that's a part of the game that you lay a big hit, sometimes you have to answer the bell. I feel like I'm comfortable doing that type of thing,' Danford said. 'I'm not a heavyweight by any means, but I can hold my own.' Defensively, Danford remained a reliable presence in his own zone, continuing to describe his game as a 'defense-first' – but there were strides made offensively, too. While his point total dipped from 33 to 25 in the regular season, he scored four more goals than in 2024, saying that he believes the numbers don't tell the full story. 'My goal totals and shots on goal went up this year, and that was something I was focusing on,' he said. 'I feel like I have a good shot and that I can use it a lot more. When it comes to making plays and creating offense, I feel like I did a great job breaking out pucks and things like that. Secondary offense but also in the o-zone, shooting for sticks, I thought I got better as the season went on.' 'I feel throughout my whole game, defensively, that's obviously the strong attribute of my game. I thought I got better that way and got more physical, I wanted to bring that component to my game. Offensively, I didn't get as many looks as I maybe wanted. Maybe my points are what I was looking for. I was really happy throughout my whole season. My 200-foot game, that's kind of what I look at. Defense first and offense is there,' he added. 'Never Take Anything For Granted': Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Reflects On Marner's Mentorship, Another Shot At Memorial Cup A year after coming up short in the Memorial Cup final, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect and London Knights forward Easton Cowan is heading back for a chance at redemption in Rimouski. The Madoc, Ont., native finished the regular season with five goals and 25 points in 61 regular-season games, and chipped in five more points (2G, 3A) across 21 playoff games. The Maple Leafs, who selected him 31st overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, expressed satisfaction with the development of Danford, who made strides in his overall game. While the organization is pleased with his progress, Danford is focused on finding more consistency and continuing to round out his physical and offensive presence. With a big offseason ahead, he is eager to return to the ice stronger and faster, he says. 'I feel like they're (Leafs) happy with my season. I think personally, something I could get better at is consistency, at times. As the year went on, I think I got a lot more consistent with my game but as things started to pick up after Christmas, I thought I was a lot better. Before that, I felt I was a bit inconsistent at times,' Danford explained. 'I think they were happy with my game, and yeah, they just want to see me just keep getting better and better, especially this offseason – it's a huge offseason for me. Getting stronger, faster, doing anything to be that much better next season,' he added. Maple Leafs Send Defensive Prospect Ben Danford Back to OHL's Oshawa Generals After Recovery From Concussion The 18-year-old missed Toronto's Prospect Showdown and training camp as he recovered from a concussion sustained in rookie camp. One key element of Danford's offseason will be the Leafs' development camp, where he'll be reacquainted with a familiar face, fellow Toronto first-round pick Easton Cowan. The two matched up against each other shift after shift throughout the OHL Finals this year, a strong test for both sides. 'He's a phenomenal player. He's a hard player to defend for sure,' Danford said. 'Just the way he sees the ice, the confidence he has with the puck. He's a great player, he makes everyone around him better as well. Cow had a great series, and I wish him the best the rest of the Memorial Cup for sure.' 'He's taken steps in all aspects of the game. I feel like some people might see him as all offense, but defensively, I thought he did a great job in the championship series. Offensively, he just keeps getting better and better, the way he sees the ice, the way he makes plays. He's pretty good at getting shots through, pucks on net, creating chances for his linemates,' he added. Despite their competition on the ice, they quickly became friends after meeting at last year's development camp. Danford says they've built a strong bond off the ice that helps balance their on-ice battles with respect. 'We met for the first time at the last development camp in the summer. We hit it off right away,' said Danford. 'We're good buddies, but when we're on the ice, we're enemies on the ice. We have no problem going at it on the ice, but there is nothing against battling each other hard on the ice. Off the ice, we're still good buddies.' Maple Leafs Sign 2024 First-Round NHL Draft Pick Ben Danford to Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract, What's Next? The Leafs selected the 18-year-old defenseman with the 31st overall pick. From stepping into a leadership role to embracing a tougher, more physical style of play, Danford has grown in ways that will serve him well in the future. Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! 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