Injury Twist Could Fast-Track Ben Danford's World Juniors Breakout
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
A new injury to Calgary Flames defenseman Zayne Parekh has potentially led to an easier path for Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford to make Team Canada at the World Juniors.
It was announced on Tuesday that Canadian defenseman Zayne Parekh was going to miss the remainder of the World Junior Summer Showcase while dealing with a lower-body injury.
For precautionary reasons, Zayne Parekh will not participate in the Team Canada World Junior camp due to a lower body injury.
He has returned to Calgary where he will follow up with Flames medical staff. He is expected to be a full participant at Calgary Flames camp in September.
He has returned to Calgary where he will follow up with Flames medical staff. He is expected to be a full participant at Calgary Flames camp in September.
Teammate's Injury Opens Door for Danford to Crack Canada's Starting Lineup
It's unfortunate for the young defenseman and Calgary is more than likely going to be keeping him on a short leash in order to make sure he doesn't get hurt before the season opens, but Canada certainly can weather the storm.
Among the names like Matthew Schaefer and Sam Dickinson, Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford is working hard to earn his chance to represent Canada this winter.
He's already excited and downright giddy about the chance to even be invited to the Summer Showcase, and although Parekh's injury is a blow to Canada, it's a silver lining for Danford considering he loses a fair bit of competition for a spot.
Building off another successful season with Oshawa, he reached his second straight OHL Championship but fell yet again to Easton Cowan's London Knights, who then went on to win the Memorial Cup.
In 61 games, Danford had 25 points (5 goals, 20 assists) although had 68 PIM so he may need to tone down his aggressiveness a bit and be a bit more careful with his discipline.
Why This Could Be a Defining Moment in Danford's Career
So leaving it up to Danford, he's in the driver's seat now. Not only is this a chance to show Team Canada why they need him in the lineup, but help fast track his Maple Leafs career as well.
If he makes Team Canada, has a solid training camp, puts in a career year in Oshawa (maybe win a Memorial Cup himself) then he'd become undeniable and Toronto would have no choice but to bring him on.
But it also means that his stock will never be higher, and for a Maple Leafs team with a defense solidified for the next few seasons, he might be valuable enough to bring in a top-six piece at the deadline.
Either way, as long as he keeps putting in a solid showing until August 2nd, Danford is going to earn a spot on Team Canada especially with Parekh reeling.
First stop: World Juniors. Next stop: The NHL.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 30 | 696 ANSWERS Injury Twist Could Fast-Track Ben Danford's World Juniors Breakout Will Ben Danford make the Team Canada roster for the World Juniors? | ||
| Yes | 603 | 86.6 % |
| No | 93 | 13.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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