When the Oshawa Generals named up-and-coming defenseman Ben Danford captain to start the 2024-25 season, they handed the responsibility to a hard-nosed blue liner entering his third OHL campaign. Now, at the season’s end, the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect has emerged not only as a leader but as a tone-setter going forward.

In a sit-down interview with TSN’s Mark Masters on Monday, Danford looked back on a season marked by personal development, increased responsibility, and the highs and lows of leading the Generals through another deep playoff run.

“It was surreal,” Danford said of being named captain. “It was an honor to wear the ‘C’ on a team like Oshawa, especially the organization behind me. All the great players that have come through and the captains that have come through the organization. There’s a lot of leaders on our team this year so I was really honored to get recognized like that.”

The Generals reached the OHL Championship Series for a second straight year but, once again, fell short, losing in five games to the London Knights. Despite winning Game 1 on the road, Oshawa dropped four straight, handing London its only loss of the 2025 playoffs.

It marked the second consecutive season that the Generals bowed out of the playoffs in the finals to the Knights, previously getting swept in the 2024 championship series.

“We had lows and highs throughout the whole year,” Danford told Masters. “At the end of the day, we came short of our end goal of winning the championship. I’m really proud of our group and what we accomplished, but it's a tough pill to swallow. Going to back-to-back finals and losing both times, it’s really tough.”

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Though the ending stung, Danford’s personal growth was positive, he says. 

The 19-year-old leaned into a more physical identity this year, thanks in part to Generals assistant coach Patrick Sexton. That included but was not limited to, laying open-ice hits and becoming more assertive in creating plays that could help swing the momentum of the game.

“Right when we first met, he thought just the way I play – I’m a competitive guy and the way I can skate – he thought that’s something I can bring into my game,” Danford explained. “He showed me some tips and tricks, and I kinda got the hang of it. I’m looking for those open-ice hits, not chasing them or anything, but hits like that can change the tide of the game. Change the energy. I enjoyed bringing that component to that part of my game, helping out my team that way.”

“I think it’s just all timing,” he added. “Just looking at their feet, seeing if their heads are down or whatnot. Just kind of a feel thing if you can get it done or not.”

With physicality comes accountability, sometimes in the form of a fight, which Danford did not shy away from, engaging in four brawls during the 2024-25 season.

“I feel like it’s something that’s a part of the game that you lay a big hit, sometimes you have to answer the bell. I feel like I’m comfortable doing that type of thing,” Danford said. “I’m not a heavyweight by any means, but I can hold my own.”

Defensively, Danford remained a reliable presence in his own zone, continuing to describe his game as a “defense-first” – but there were strides made offensively, too. While his point total dipped from 33 to 25 in the regular season, he scored four more goals than in 2024, saying that he believes the numbers don’t tell the full story.

“My goal totals and shots on goal went up this year, and that was something I was focusing on,” he said. “I feel like I have a good shot and that I can use it a lot more. When it comes to making plays and creating offense, I feel like I did a great job breaking out pucks and things like that. Secondary offense but also in the o-zone, shooting for sticks, I thought I got better as the season went on.”

“I feel throughout my whole game, defensively, that’s obviously the strong attribute of my game. I thought I got better that way and got more physical, I wanted to bring that component to my game. Offensively, I didn’t get as many looks as I maybe wanted. Maybe my points are what I was looking for. I was really happy throughout my whole season. My 200-foot game, that’s kind of what I look at. Defense first and offense is there,” he added.

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The Madoc, Ont., native finished the regular season with five goals and 25 points in 61 regular-season games, and chipped in five more points (2G, 3A) across 21 playoff games. The Maple Leafs, who selected him 31st overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, expressed satisfaction with the development of Danford, who made strides in his overall game.

While the organization is pleased with his progress, Danford is focused on finding more consistency and continuing to round out his physical and offensive presence. With a big offseason ahead, he is eager to return to the ice stronger and faster, he says.

“I feel like they’re (Leafs) happy with my season. I think personally, something I could get better at is consistency, at times. As the year went on, I think I got a lot more consistent with my game but as things started to pick up after Christmas, I thought I was a lot better. Before that, I felt I was a bit inconsistent at times,” Danford explained.

“I think they were happy with my game, and yeah, they just want to see me just keep getting better and better, especially this offseason – it’s a huge offseason for me. Getting stronger, faster, doing anything to be that much better next season,” he added.

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.

One key element of Danford’s offseason will be the Leafs’ development camp, where he’ll be reacquainted with a familiar face, fellow Toronto first-round pick Easton Cowan. The two matched up against each other shift after shift throughout the OHL Finals this year, a strong test for both sides. 

“He’s a phenomenal player. He’s a hard player to defend for sure,” Danford said. “Just the way he sees the ice, the confidence he has with the puck. He’s a great player, he makes everyone around him better as well. Cow had a great series, and I wish him the best the rest of the Memorial Cup for sure.”

“He’s taken steps in all aspects of the game. I feel like some people might see him as all offense, but defensively, I thought he did a great job in the championship series. Offensively, he just keeps getting better and better, the way he sees the ice, the way he makes plays. He’s pretty good at getting shots through, pucks on net, creating chances for his linemates,” he added.

Despite their competition on the ice, they quickly became friends after meeting at last year’s development camp. Danford says they’ve built a strong bond off the ice that helps balance their on-ice battles with respect.

“We met for the first time at the last development camp in the summer. We hit it off right away,” said Danford. “We’re good buddies, but when we’re on the ice, we’re enemies on the ice. We have no problem going at it on the ice, but there is nothing against battling each other hard on the ice. Off the ice, we’re still good buddies.”

Maple Leafs Sign 2024 First-Round NHL Draft Pick Ben Danford to Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract, What's Next? The Leafs selected the 18-year-old defenseman with the 31st overall pick.

From stepping into a leadership role to embracing a tougher, more physical style of play, Danford has grown in ways that will serve him well in the future.

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