It has been quite the last few weeks for Madoc’s Ben Danford.
At the world famous Sphere in Las Vegas, he was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs as their first round pick in the NHL draft.
The Maple Leafs are the team he grew up idolizing.
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He visited Quinte News this week and says when it started getting later in the first round, he knew there was a chance he could go to the blue and white.
“I knew they were very interested in me. I talked to them, I had an interview with them the morning of the draft. When they moved their pick down a little bit, I thought there was a chance I could maybe go to them at 31. I kind of blacked out after that to be honest. It was pretty crazy for sure.”
Danford says he could not have imagined a better scenario.
“It’s pretty crazy, it hasn’t sunk in yet. Like you just said I’ve been a Leafs fan my whole life. There’s 32-teams in the NHL, to get drafted by that one team, it’s pretty crazy.”
He says when he was chosen by his favourite team, after a lot of hard work, there were a lot of faces that ran through his mind.
“My parents are the first that come to mind. They sacrificed so much for me, supported me, driven me all across Ontario, and travelled with me whereever hockey’s taken me. It’s an accomplishment for myself, but my whole family as well.”
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Right after the draft, Danford returned to Ontario, where he took part in the Toronto Maple Leafs Development Camp.
He says it started off great.
“The first day I got there, we actually had a golf tournament. It turned out I got there, I went to my cart and so I’m partnered with John Tavares, so that was pretty cool. We had the connection of both playing for the Oshawa Generals. A guy like him such high character, high caliber player. Really cool to hear some stories, hear his thoughts on things.”
He says they had a lot of seminars, they were on the ice a lot, saw the Toronto Raptors practice facility, and had a blue/white scrimmage on the final day. There was also some discussion of what it is like to be under the microscope and the spotlight of Toronto.
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Danford will also be giving back to the community.
On Saturday (July 20), Danford will be appearing at the Madoc Skate Park from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. He will be signing autographs and posing for photos with fans, something he says he is looking forward to.
There is a large crowd expected for the event and those wishing to attend are asked to park at Roxoborough Bus Lines – 278 St Lawrence St W, Madoc, where they can be shuttled over to the skate park.
Dignitaries are expected to speak and there will be raffle prizes. Those who make a monetary or food donation will be in the draw for prizes, which include Oshawa Generals tickets, gift cards from Montana’s, and more. Fundraising efforts go to support the Central Hastings Support Network
You can listen to the full interview with Ben Danford below
