Maple Leafs first round pick Ben Danford suspended for two games in the OHL playoffs
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect defenseman Ben Danford has been suspended two games by the Ontario Hockey League.
Danford, the Leafs 2024 first round pick, was suspended two games by the OHL following a hit during the second game of the first round of the OHL playoffs Sunday against Subdury Wolves forward Rowan Henderson.
On a puck battle, Danford cut through the blueline and knocked Henderson down along the end boards. Danford was issued a game misconduct for the hit.
A closer angle of the video shows that Henderson goes head first into the boards. Henderson was able to remain in the game.
The Brantford Bulldogs defenseman, selected 31st overall by Toronto in 2024, has three goals, 17 assists, & 20 points in 45 games this season split between Brantford and Oshawa.
Ben Danford will miss two games after a checking from behind major in the Bulldogs playoff win over Sudbury
Brantford leads the best-of-seven series 2-0, having won on Sunday. Danford had an assist in game one against Sudbury.
Danford leads all active OHLers with 49 career playoff appearances, tied with Zack Sandhu, who played with Oshawa and was dealt with Danford to Brantford. Sandhu, expected to play Game 3 on Tuesday, will take sole possession of first place with 50 playoff games played.
Danford isn't the only key player for Brantford who could miss Game 3 for Sudbury. Forward Luca Testa was injured in Game 2, with his status for Tuesday unknown.
Brantford leads the OHL in goals scored with 296. Drafted prospects Jake O'Brien (SEA), Marek Vanacker (CHI), & Adam Benak (MIN) lead the way for the Bulldogs along with 2026 NHL Draft top prospect and son of former Leafs assistant coach Manny Malhotra, a potential coaching option for Toronto.
The suspension proves Ben Danford has the mean streak that the Toronto front office has been dying to see
Ben Danford is expected to be in the American Hockey League next season, likely to fill a top-four role for the Toronto Marlies.
Danford will likely not repeat the quick succession path taken by Easton Cowan from the CHL to the NHL, with Danford needing to add more fleshing out into his offensive game.
Having been one of the OHL's top defensive defenseman, Danford's offensive game has struggled to peak upwards, and may need up to 2-3 years of AHL development.
Eventually, Ben Danford could be the essential energy defenseman the Toronto Maple Leafs roster desperately needs to add.
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