Maple Leafs Send Defensive Prospect Ben Danford Back to OHL’s Oshawa Generals After Recovery From Concussion

The 18-year-old missed Toronto’s Prospect Showdown and training camp as he recovered from a concussion sustained in rookie camp.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford is headed back to the OHL’s Oshawa Generals.

The Maple Leafs have returned Danford to his OHL squad after recovering from a concession he received in Toronto’s rookie camp after free agent invitee Marshall Finnie hit the defenseman in the head during a scrimmage.

Danford didn’t participate in the Prospect Showdown against the Montreal Canadiens’ prospects the following weekend and missed the NHL camp as he continued recovery.

The 19-year-old was selected in the first round (31st overall) by the Maple Leafs in the 2024 NHL Draft. He was expected to be one of Toronto’s top defensive prospects to participate in the showdown before his injury.

Danford was seen on the ice with John Tavares, Calle Jarnkrok, and Alex Steeves — all players who are dealing with lower body ailments — plus Jani Hakanpaa (knee) and Connor Dewar (shoulder) before Toronto’s practice on Monday.

All players aside from Danford — in a white practice jersey — were wearing red non-contact jerseys. The defenseman had one goal and 32 assists for 33 points in 64 OHL games with the Generals last season.

This upcoming year will be Danford’s third season playing in the OHL with Oshawa.