Danford brings leadership and playoff experience to Bulldogs

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Brantford Bulldogs defenceman Ben Danford will spend the next month on the international stage.

The Madoc, Ontario native earned an invitation to Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, joining Bulldogs teammates Jake O’Brien, Jett Luchanko, and Marek Vanacker.

Danford has previously represented Canada at the World U17 Championship and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

After the tournament, the 19-year-old will return to the Ontario Hockey League to chase a championship he just missed twice with the Oshawa Generals.

Danford and fellow defenceman Zackary Sandhu were traded to Brantford earlier this season, with Oshawa receiving Aiden O’Donnell, Lucas Moore, Luca Diplacido and nine OHL draft picks in return.

“Going back-to-back finals and losing both times was tough,” Danford said. “Coming into our fourth and fifth years in the league, we’ve got that playoff experience and that fire from not getting the job done before. This year, we’re aiming to do it.”

Danford has made an immediate impact with his new club, tallying 12 points in 15 games.

“It’s been a great transition so far,” Danford said. “Brantford’s been really welcoming to both me and Zach coming in. I can’t thank Oshawa enough. I played there for three-plus years, but it was time to move on. This is a great organization. They treat us really well. Looking ahead, hopefully, we can win it all.”

Danford is valued for his skating and defensive reliability. Following the trade, the Bulldogs quickly named the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect an alternate captain. He previously served as a captain in Oshawa and regularly wore a letter throughout his minor hockey career with the Quinte Red Devils.

“It means a lot,” he said. “I just try to be myself every day, lead by example, and do anything for the team to win. It’s pretty special to wear a letter.”

The trade has also given Danford the chance to play for Bulldogs head coach Jay McKee, a former NHL defenceman with more than 800 career games.

“I’ve never played for a coach with that much NHL experience,” Danford said. “Being able to learn from him is unreal. He’s easy to go to, whether about hockey or stuff away from the rink. It’s been great so far. He’s an unreal coach.”

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Danford grew up in Madoc, a town of just over 2,000 about 40 minutes north of Belleville, and he’s grateful for the support his hometown has given him.

“Growing up in a small town, you always dream about playing in the NHL,” he said. “I was a big Leafs fan, so for everything to fall into place the way it did is still pretty surreal. The support back home and across the Bay of Quinte region has been unreal. Playing for Quinte all the way up, you make so many lifelong friends. It means a lot.”

“Just work hard,” he added. “You’re no different than a kid from Toronto or anywhere else. Being from a small town doesn’t change anything. If you put your head down and work, people will notice. It’s a long road with ups and downs, but you’ve just got to keep working.”

Before reaching the OHL, Danford played his minor hockey with the Quinte Red Devils. His age group set an association record with 12 players selected in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, finishing the regular season 23-0-3 and reaching the semifinals of the OHL Cup.

Of those 12 players, nine have gone on to play in the OHL, with Danford leading the way as a first-round selection. He and teammate Jared Wooley were both selected in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas.

“It’s pretty cool,” Danford said. “Our ’06 group was strong all the way up and really close. We still have a 3-on-3 league in Belleville in the summer that most of us play in. A lot of close buddies from that team. It’s awesome seeing the guys you grew up with having success in the OHL.”

During the summer, Danford trains at Momentous Athletics in Belleville with strength coach Tom Crowhurst.

“It’s a great spot,” he said. “I’ve been with Tom for a few years now. I look up to a lot of those guys. It’s been huge for my development. Momentous is unreal.”

Danford credits much of his success and work ethic to his parents, Allan and Lesley. His father runs a local construction company and was selected in the 15th round of the 1987 OHL Draft by the Toronto Marlboros.

“My dad’s a blue-collar guy. He’s worked construction since he got out of high school,” he said. “Growing up in a small town, that’s just how you’re raised. I’m sure that had something to do with it.”