Ben Danford arrived in Toronto a few days ago planning for September. The Marlies' playoff run might change that to next week.
The Maple Leafs' 2024 first-round pick just wrapped up a heart-breaking Game 7 loss to the Barrie Colts in the OHL's Eastern Conference final. Before he could even fully process the defeat, he was in Toronto for routine post-season testing and skating sessions—standard procedure for a prospect finishing his junior career.
Then the Marlies won. Their 3-2 series victory over the Laval Rocket on Saturday punched their ticket to the North Division final against Cleveland, starting Thursday. And suddenly, a door that seemed firmly closed for this season cracked open.
"If I ever get the chance to get in the lineup, I'll be ready to go," Danford told TSN's Mark Masters over the weekend, with the kind of quiet confidence that has defined his rise through the ranks.
The 20-year-old defenseman has been on the ice for several days now, his body still fresh from a full playoff grind. "After getting four or five days of rest, my body feels pretty great," he said. Whether the Marlies' brass actually inserts a first-round pick into a live playoff environment is a decision for GM John Chayka and the coaching staff. But Danford is making it clear he won't be the reason they say no.
This isn't some bubble prospect trying to stay relevant. Danford captained the Oshawa Generals, wore an alternate's letter immediately after a mid-season trade to Brantford, and represented Canada at the World Juniors—all before his professional career has officially begun. By every measure, he's a player with a clear path to the NHL, not someone fighting for organizational attention.
His defensive game took a noticeable step forward this season, and he's already mapped out an ambitious summer. "My goal is to make the NHL next year," he said, drawing inspiration from his friend and fellow prospect Easton Cowan. "We always joke around about how it'd be pretty cool if me and him play in the NHL together at a young age."
For now, the Marlies' unexpected depth run has created an opportunity nobody saw coming. Danford came to Toronto thinking about next fall. He might need to start thinking about next week. And if the call comes, he'll be ready to answer.