Ben Danford to Miss Maple Leafs Rookie Showdown Against Canadiens Due to Injury

Ben Danford will not be in the lineup or the Toronto Maple Leafs when the club's rookie class heads to Montreal to take on the Canadiens rookies for a pair of games this weekend.

Danford sustained an apparent head injury after he was hit by Maple Leafs rookie invitee Marshall FInnie during Thursday's practice session and missed the club's final session on Montreal before boarding a bus to Quebec's largest city.

"He's still being evaluated and unfortunately he's not going to be available," Toronto Marlies head coach John Gruden said of Danford.

Selected by the Maple Leafs in the first round (31st overall) in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Danford was expected to be among many top rookies featured in the pair of games.

Danford skated on a defense pair with Noah Chadwick before his injury Thursday. At  Rhett Parsons moved up into Danford's spot.

"I talked to him, it's unfortunate stuff like that happens,' Gruden said of Danford. 

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