We are just under 50 days away from the Boxing Day kickoff of the 2026 World Juniors.

It’s an important one for Team Canada, who have now missed a top-four finish in back-to-back tournaments for the first time since the early 80s. Not to mention, the United States enter as back-to-back champions for the first time ever, with the tournament set to be hosted in America for the first time since 2018. In an Olympic year, where tensions between the two nations are high, you can bet the Canadians want to stop the Americans on their turf this year.

Ahead of December’s Canadian World Junior training camp in Niagara, Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis took a look Friday at what Canada’s roster could look like for the upcoming edition of the tournament. Landing on Ellis’ projected roster from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospect pool is 19-year-old defenceman Ben Danford.

While there are some questions marks on the blue line for Canada with regards to who may be released from the NHL for the tournament, Ellis lists a top-four of Kashawn Aitcheson (New York Islanders), Zayne Parekh (Calgary Flames), Keaton Verhoeff (2026 draft eligible), and Harrison Brunicke (Pittsburgh Penguins). Outside those four options, he writes:

Danford was selected 31st overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2024 NHL entry draft. The blue liner made his debut at Toronto’s training camp earlier this Fall after missing last year due to injury. This past summer, he landed second on The Leafs Nation’s Prospect Rankings, owing to his size and tremendous defensive talents. He is now back in the OHL for the season, recently traded to the Brantford Bulldogs from the Oshawa Generals. So far this season he has a goal and three assists in eight games played.

Danford previously appeared with Team Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but has never appeared at the World Juniors. With so much at stake for the Canadians this year, what better time to bring in one of the best young shutdown defenders the nation has to offer right now?

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