Ben Danford Shares Honest Thoughts on World Junior Showcase Experience
Photo credit: TSN
Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford shared his honest thoughts with TSN on being invited to the World Junior Summer Showcase and his feelings on potentially making the team.
It was quite the season for Ben Danford, and although he fell short yet again to fellow Leafs prospect Easton Cowan, he was a huge part as to why the Oshawa Generals made their second straight OHL Championship.
He's been putting in the hard work this offseason and has been mentored by the likes of Mark Giordano, Chris Tanev and Jake Muzzin, so it's safe to say he's in good hands.
Ben Danford Ready To Impress Canada...And Maple Leafs Too
But right now his focus is the World Juniors, and more specifically their Summer Showcase.
Invited to be among some of Canada's brightest young stars like Matthew Schaefer and Zayne Parekh, Danford is going to be pushing hard to make Team Canada for the 2025-26 tournament.
Speaking with TSN, Danford explained that while he's been working hard, the entire situation has left him feeling like he's on Cloud Nine:
It was super surreal. As a kid you dream of getting drafted, playing for the World Juniors; well...invited [laughter]. It's one more step closer to making the team it's pretty surreal.
It's a huge Canadian tradition over Christmas break, everyone gets together with family and watches it so to actually get to be a member of the team would be amazing, we'll see what happens.
It's a huge Canadian tradition over Christmas break, everyone gets together with family and watches it so to actually get to be a member of the team would be amazing, we'll see what happens.
Ben Danford Knows Importance Of World Junior Summer Showcase
But he also knows that this isn't the only end goal for him, and a great outing here will make the Maple Leafs take a deeper look at him:
Like I said, this is the first step, then go back to whatever my club team wants in Oshawa but it's a stepping stone for NHL camps as well so just keep getting better, get better every day, that's the motto.
While Danford isn't likely to get a spot on the Leafs this season, if he can translate this summer's work into a solid season yet again in Oshawa; he's almost going to be undeniable at some point soon.
Danford, 19, had 25 points in 61 games for the Generals last season (5 goals, 20 assists).
He has a good shot at making the Canadian squad considering they like to keep some stay-at-home defenders who play hard and physical and Danford fits the bill to a tee.
Making Team Canada is the first step towards making the Maple Leafs, and if Easton Cowan is ready after his junior stint, there's no doubt Danford will be too.
It's only going to be a matter of time before we expect to see Danford not only on Team Canada, but Toronto as well.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 29 | 579 ANSWERS Ben Danford Shares Honest Thoughts on World Junior Showcase Experience Do you believe Ben Danford deserves to make Team Canada? | ||
| Yes | 511 | 88.3 % |
| No | 68 | 11.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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