Prospect Info: [2024] 1st rd selection - #31 OA - RD, Ben Danford - Oshawa Generals, OHL (6′2″/191lb)

[Menzinger]

Wes Clark has earned the right for a wildcard pick.

 

[Rare Jewel]

OMG who cares stop crying and whining about it, they picked who they liked and that's that.

Doesn't mean he has to.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Brad is absolutely killing it. Great job all round tonight.

 

[ULF_55]

After the Cowan and Minten picks we shouldn’t be surprised TBH

Clarke seems to like hard working two way players with leadership intangibles that show some potential to grow offensively

And late risers ... players who improve later in the season.

 

[93LEAFS]

When you can pick a guy licensed to operate heavy machinery you just have to.

He's gonna move jerseys in Woodbridge.

 

[Stephen]

Seems alright but would have preferred Solberg or Letourneau.

 

[Mess]

Where will Ben Danford go in the 2024 NHL draft?​

After a breakout sophomore campaign, Ben Danford is currently ranked 35th on NHL Central Scouting's list of North American skaters.

Ben Danford is a reliable defender, who's 2023-24 season sent him shooting up rankings for the upcoming draft. Those that are swooning over the offensive juggernaut that is Zayne Parekh, or drooling over Sam Dickinson's puck carrying abilities may be overlooking Danford's reliable 200-foot game. He can be characterized succinctly as a player who looks after the little things and ensures that he rarely makes big mistakes.

"My skating ability and my competitiveness are the things that headline my strengths," said Danford when asked about his greatest strengths at the draft combine. "I think I can play in a lot of different situations and I like eating up minutes."

Offensively, he relies on his strong skating to hold off defenders while using his excellent vision to move pucks to his teammates. When in doubt, Danford will often take high percentage shots that result in rebounds and secondary opportunities for his teammates. Beyond the offensive improvement, Danford is also recognized as one of the leaders of the Generals squad. As a sophomore, he was an alternate captain for the team and used his hard work to lead by example.

One of the best example of his leadership ability is his willingness to block shots.

"I think blocking shots comes with competitiveness," said Danford. "I've always been a guy that wanted to win, and I think blocking shots and sacrificing your body is a big part of it. It's something I have always had in my game."

At the NHL level, Danford projects as a middle-pairing defender who can be relied upon to play a solid 200-foot game and play in all situations.

Currently, he is ranked behind only Parekh and Dickinson on the NHL Central Scouting's North American Skaters list. Fans of whichever team selects Danford can be assured their team is investing in a reliable defender with great potential and leadership qualities.

https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/where-will-ben-danford-go-in-the-2024-nhl-draft

 

[ULF_55]

Feels like Freddie the Goat pick all over again.

You missed the "and meanest" part?

 

[SprDaVE]

People here will really like the hits, contact and skating

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806899239135678597

 

[Mess]

Few good video's on TSN draft site

NHL Draft - Round by round coverage of the NHL Draft

DraftCentre | Draft

www.tsn.ca

 

[Rare Jewel]

Seems alright but would have preferred Solberg or Letourneau.

Or Artamonov, Brunicke, Chernyshov, Freij, Badinka, Pettersson.

Eff it, let's go real draft nerd with Raoul Boilard or Tarin Smith if you're going to reach with Danford.

 

[ULF_55]

He was essentially ranked 50-80 by all scouting services with the exception of EliteProspects.

He was nowhere near a concensus first round selection by scouts.

Kind of like the Cowan pick.

Leafs recently explained their scouting style.

He fits with it.

 

[TimeZone]

Kind of like the Cowan pick.

Leafs recently explained their scouting style.

He fits with it.

Or Minten, a player I'm not particularly high on.

 

[BM14]

He's gonna move jerseys in Woodbridge.

Ohhhhh

 

[Stephen]

Or Artamonov, Brunicke, Chernyshov, Freij, Badinka, Pettersson.

Eff it, let's go real draft nerd with Raoul Boilard or Tarin Smith if you're going to reach with Danford.

Or Greentree. Or trade up to grab Eisernman. Oh well. Let’s see how it goes.

 

[SprDaVE]

When you can pick a guy licensed to operate heavy machinery you just have to.

The cup is really heavy

 

[Morgs]

People here will really like the hits, contact and skating

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806899239135678597

The clips at ~0:30 and ~0:41 are very very impressive. Those passes at 1:27, 1:33, and 1:55 are outrageous.

Dude is so impressive.

 

[keonsbitterness]

8 x 11.5

Too soon?

 

[Rare Jewel]

Or Greentree. Or trade up to grab Eisernman. Oh well. Let’s see how it goes.

Staying @ 23 was also an option.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

People here will really like the hits, contact and skating

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806899239135678597

How can you not love what you see, here?

 

[SprDaVE]

The clips at ~0:30 and ~0:41 are very very impressive. Those passes at 1:27, 1:33, and 1:55 are outrageous.

Dude is so impressive.

He seems very good at passing but might need to heavily work on his shooting ability... Hes very much a pass it in the net. Not many shot attempts/goals highlights lol

 

[diceman934]

Like this pick...highly intelligent and big...right shot. Lots of upside

 

[Mess]

And late risers ... players who improve later in the season.

His hard work and leadership showed during the playoffs. Through 21 games he recorded 4 goals and 6 assists for a total of 10 points.

Defensively, he is very reliable. He positions well, and takes away attacking players options on the rush, blocks shots and disrupts plays with his elite skating ability.

In his rookie campaign Danford ended the season a -4. That all change this past season where he finished the year a +27 the second best mark on his team.

In this season’s annual OHL coach’s poll, Danford was voted the best defensive defenseman, the second best shot-blocker, and finished third in hardest worker in the Eastern Conference.

PS. He was also a member of Team Canada u-18 t the recent 2023-24 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where Canada won GOLD.

 

[93LEAFS]

Or Greentree. Or trade up to grab Eisernman. Oh well. Let’s see how it goes.

It's pretty telling how the Islanders have drafted Bellows, Wahlstrom and now Eiserman...

 

[BertCorbeau]

What about Solberg? He's literally the same type of player but more physical?

The leafs wined and dined him and then rekt him

His hard work and leadership showed during the playoffs. Through 21 games he recorded 4 goals and 6 assists for a total of 10 points.

Defensively, he is very reliable. He positions well, and takes away attacking players options on the rush, blocks shots and disrupts plays with his elite skating ability.

In his rookie campaign Danford ended the season a -4. That all change this past season where he finished the year a +27 the second best mark on his team.

PS. He was also a member of Team Canada u-18 t the recent 2023-24 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where Canada won GOLD.

Mess’ stamp of approval