The Toronto Maple Leafs' defensive prospect, Ben Danford, is among the 44 promising players invited to Hockey Canada’s World Juniors Summer Showcase. Hockey Canada unveiled the 44 prospects who will head to Minnesota for the showcase, which begins Sunday and runs through August 2 in Minneapolis.

Defensive prospect Ben Danford is the lone Maple Leafs player invited to the annual showcase, where Canada’s World Junior staff will get their first look at what their team might look like for the 2026 World Juniors, which will also take place in Minnesota.

The Maple Leafs selected Danford with their first pick (31st overall) at the 2024 NHL Draft, and he is largely seen as a possible defensive defenseman option for Toronto down the road. During his visit to Toronto’s development camp earlier this month, the defender revealed that he’s receiving mentorship from current Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev and former Leafs defensemen Jake Muzzin and Mark Giordano. Muzzin has been working with the Leafs in a developmental role, while Giordano took part in development camp, and his role, if any, with the Leafs going forward is still in the process of being defined, according to Maple Leafs assistant GM Hayley Wickenheiser.

The 6-foot-2 Danford might make for an excellent fit for Canada if he makes the team. A right-handed shot who is responsible in his own end, the Madoc, Ontario native demonstrated leadership capabilities when he was named captain of the Oshawa Generals ahead of the 2024-25 OHL season. He also has previous experience representing Canada, first as part of Canada’s ‘Red’ squad at the World U17 Challenge in 2022-23 and again for Canada at the U18s in 2023-24.

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‘I Can Hold My Own’: Maple Leafs Prospect Ben Danford Embraces Physical Edge, Leadership Role In First Season As Generals’ Captain 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.

Former Maple Leafs Defenseman Jake Muzzin Moves to Player Development Role With Club Among Many Other Staff Updates Muzzin spent last season as a pro scout with the Leafs and has been present during Toronto's training camp.

'The Second He Called My Name, I Kind Of Blacked Out’: Maple Leafs First-Round Pick Ben Danford Reflects on Being Selected by Toronto - Community Post The Leafs selected Danford with the 31st pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.