Ben Danford said his goal was the NHL roster and the Maple Leafs just responded to his request

We reported on Sunday that Ben Danford was feeling confident in his ability to make the leap forward next season to the Toronto Maple Leafs. A strong season in Brantford only solidified his case, and he already seems to be looking forward to working alongside Easton Cowan in the future.

With the Bulldogs eliminated however, Danford was done for the year. But it wasn't all for naught as the Toronto Marlies decided to bring him aboard for their North Division Finals run:

Danford, 20, put up a solid OHL season with both Oshawa and Brantford. After being traded early on this season, Danford was key in helping the Bulldogs dominate the OHL and cruise into the playoffs where they were shockingly eliminated by the Barrie Colts.

In 37 games with Brantford he posted 16 points, and had four points in eight games with the Generals before being dealt; he also added three points and nine PIM in 13 playoff games.

With Toronto advancing after defeating Laval in a five-game series, the Marlies now look ahead to the North Division Finals vs. the Cleveland Monsters; the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets and clearly want to beef up their defence.

Adding Danford is a smart call because he's someone who already has been thrust into high-pressure situations and succeeded. He not only was fantastic this year, but was crucial in helping Oshawa cruise into the Memorial Cup and has represented Canada internationally.

It's unknown where Danford fits in the lineup though head coach Jon Gruden will no doubt make sure he finds his way in at some point.

The Marlies call-up will give Danford the chance to play against a whole slew of competition from seasoned veterans to exciting prospects. He gets a taste of everything and it'll be a great test of his mettle if he can hang with them.

It's also his first time in a professional setting so getting that experience is going to give him a lot more confidence heading into next year. If he knows what to expect coming into the 2026-27 season he's quickly able to adapt to whatever changes are thrown at him.

If anything this gives Danford a chance to get acclimated to the Marlies group as he makes the transition there next year. While making the Maple Leafs out of camp would be a fine accomplishment, getting a chance to dominate in the AHL will only strengthen his on-ice ability and assure him as a call-up at some point.

There's nothing wrong with passing through the AHL level; heck even Easton Cowan wanted to get involved in the postseason to get more professional experience. It's a solid tool that could benefit Danford for years to come.

With the ability to learn from some of the best minds in the game and play against true pros, it's going to be the first step in getting Ben Danford in a Maple Leafs jersey.

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