Maple Leafs Assign 2024 First-Rounder Ben Danford to Marlies for Calder Cup Playoffs

Overview

• Toronto’s AHL affiliate announced Monday that Ben Danford has been assigned to the Marlies for the Calder Cup playoffs, moving the 31st-overall pick in 2024 into pro action.
• The Marlies open a best-of-five North Division Final against the Cleveland Monsters on Thursday in Cleveland in the AHL’s championship tournament, with Danford’s usage still to be determined.
• Danford’s junior year ended after the Bulldogs’ Game 7 loss in the OHL’s Eastern Conference Final, following a season split with Oshawa and Hamilton that produced 3 goals and 17 assists in 45 games.
• Pro Hockey Rumors frames Danford as one of Toronto’s top prospects in a thin system, raising the stakes on how he looks against older, stronger AHL competition.
• He told TSN he needs a big summer to add weight, muscle, and speed before competing at Maple Leafs training camp in September, where he would be one of the youngest players.