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Ben Danford credits Marlies’ coaching staff for helping transition to pro hockey

Photo credit: (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

By Michael Coyle

Jul 11, 2026, 11:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 10, 2026, 19:58 EDT

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While the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2025-26 season was a failure, the year for 2024 first-round draft pick Ben Danford was quite the opposite and can only be described as a major success.

Danford started his season in the Ontario Hockey League with the Oshawa Generals before being traded to the Brantford Bulldogs as they loaded up with the intention of a Memorial Cup run.

While the Bulldogs ultimately fell in Game 7 of the OHL’s Eastern Conference Finals, that allowed Danford to join the Toronto Marlies midway through the playoffs during their North Division Finals series against the Cleveland Monsters. Danford went on to skate in 16 playoff games for the Marlies, picking up one goal and two assists, and ultimately playing a key role as a 20-year-old on a Calder Cup championship-winning team.

On Friday, Danford joined Leafs Morning Take with Nick Alberga and David Pagnotta to discuss the season he had, how he made the transition look so easy from junior hockey to professional hockey, and what it was like playing under new Maple Leafs assistant coach John Gruden.

“It’s been a whirlwind. To go from Brantford, and being a strong team there, and being upset in the Conference Finals, to then come to the Marlies, jump right in, get a sniff of pro hockey, and then win, it was surreal,” Danford said. “It was my third year in a row going to the finals, so going in, it was in the back of my head that I had to win. Overall, it was a great group, really fun time, and I can’t wait to get going in training camp.”

Over 45 games in the OHL this season, Danford posted three goals and 17 assists before adding three more points across 13 OHL playoff games. Named to the Canadian World Junior team in December, Danford posted one assist across seven games, but played a smaller role en route to a bronze medal.

Then Danford joined the Marlies, and people weren’t sure what to expect when they added him in the midst of a deep playoff run. From his first game, Danford fit in seamlessly and went on to play in every game from that point on, logging minutes, and bringing an elite puck-moving ability to the Marlies’ defence core.

“I give a lot of props to the coaching staff and the group of guys for welcoming me in,” Danford said. “They gave me confidence and were really positive with me, which went a long way just being a young guy. But it was great, and I thought I transitioned pretty well.”

One of the big reasons for the Marlies’ Calder Cup victory was Gruden. Gruden helped lead a club that finished fourth place in the AHL’s North Division to an unlikely title run. For his efforts, Gruden was awarded with a promotion to the Maple Leafs next season where he will work as an assistant on Jim Hiller’s staff.

“Grud’s [Gruden] is someone that you want to work for, play for, and go to war for. He’s a players coach, but he’s also able to be hard on guys, and I think it’s a perfect balance he has,” Danford said. “He’s someone that gave me a lot of confidence and helped me develop through the playoff rounds. He’s someone that guys want to play for, everyone loves him, and he’s a big reason why we went the whole way.”

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