Ben Danford just snagged the #4 spot on the T25U25 list, and seriously, if you aren’t dialed into what this kid is cooking for Toronto, you’re missing out. The label “Toronto’s top defense prospect” hasn’t exactly been throwing around much weight lately, not since Morgan Rielly back in 2012, right? But Danford, picked 31st overall in 2024, could legit become the best defenseman they’ve drafted since Mo, even if everyone’s still sleeping on him. He’s 20.4 years old, a right-shot D-man at 6’2″, 200 lbs. Get ready for some wild takes, because his reputation might be completely wrong.
This Kid Skates Like a Cheat Code
Let’s just be real, Danford’s known rep is all about his mobility and his defense. And yeah, it’s true. His skating? Elite. Like, four-way mobility, agility, edgework, speed, acceleration, backwards skating, pivots,you name it, he does it. He just glides around out there, making it look effortless. That insane skating is the engine behind all his defensive strengths. Seriously, pick any area of defense, and Danford is probably crushing it. His rush defense is killer, using that skating to manage gaps perfectly. He’s got an active stick that just forces turnovers or guides the puck carrier exactly where he wants them. And in his own zone? Forget about it. His positioning and awareness are top-tier, shutting down dangerous passes into the slot. He sticks to his man along the boards like velcro, pinning them down hard. We even saw him make a critical defensive play in overtime last night, remember that? It was clutch.
More Than Just Wheels: He Thinks the Game at Warp Speed
But hold up, it’s not just the wheels. Danford’s got all the other tools you want in a high-level defender. His defensive brain is seriously next-level. You see it in his proactive positioning, his decision making, how he processes plays, his anticipation, and just how fast he thinks the game. He’s got good size and strength, he’s willing to get physical, and he’s thrown some highlight-reel hits already. Remember when he absolutely crushed Yanis Lutz cutting across the middle with his head down? That was pure power. He’s a high-effort, high-energy competitor who just doesn’t quit on a play. We even saw him score a powerplay goal of his own in that same game. The kid is a machine.
His Puck Skills Are Seriously Underestimated, Toronto
Here’s where I think his reputation is lagging big time: his puck skills. Now, I’m not saying Danford is gonna be a massive point producer in the NHL, let’s be realistic. But the skills he *does* have with the puck are absolutely underrated. He’s super good at moving the puck up the ice on retrievals, pushing it through the neutral zone with ease, and facilitating offense by keeping the play flowing with a relatively low-risk style. He might not light up the scoreboard every night, but he keeps the puck moving and that’s huge.
So, Toronto fans, keep your eyes on Ben Danford. He’s gonna surprise a lot of people, and he’s ready to prove everyone wrong about what kind of D-man he can be. Get hyped, because this kid’s trajectory is pointing straight up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pension Plan Puppets.
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