Toronto Maple Leafs 2024 first-round pick Ben Danford isn’t the shiniest name in the Maple Leafs’ prospect cupboard, but he’s one who will endear himself to the fans that appreciate the ones who go into the trenches.

Danford, a 6-foot-1 right-handed defenceman out of the Belleville, Ontario area, just wrapped up his junior career and is currently trying to help the Toronto Marlies of the AHL (American Hockey League) win the Calder Cup. His numbers on paper don’t pop out, with only two assists in 11 playoff games and 16 points in 37 games with the Brantford Bulldogs, but that’s not the area of the game he takes pride in. The 20-year-old joined First Up on TSN 1050 Wednesday morning and spoke about his style of play, namely, his love for blocking shots.

“I enjoy blocking shots, I embrace it,” Danford said. “I don’t know, I almost like the feeling of it, just for the guys, for my teammates. I get a lot out of blocking a shot, a guy gives you a tap for that and it goes a long way. Just doing anything for the team to win kinda thing, it seems half the time I’m not even trying to and they just end up hitting me.”

With Danford now old enough to play pro hockey, he talked about how important his experience with the Marlies has been in ensuring he’s ready for next season.

“This stint with the Marlies to finish off the year is gonna be really good for me,” Danford continued. “To get a sniff from pro hockey before I start my first year, and it’s gonna come with having a big summer and stuff, but I feel like going into training camp next year, I wanna put myself in the best spot I can, and that’s to make the Leafs.”

As a young defenceman on a team with championship aspirations, Danford is going to have an uphill battle ahead of him, but he’s ready for it.

“You’re not gonna go into anything and not put your best foot forward. My goal is to make the opening night roster next year. We’ll see what happens, everyone has a different path, so who knows, but that’s my end goal.”