If Madoc’s Ben Danford never got to play one game of professional hockey, his AAA and junior career would still be one to remember.
The former Quinte Red Devil and Oshawa Generals Captain has been to three straight final fours in the OHL, not to mention two championship series, and a bronze medal at the most recent World Junior Hockey Championships.
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Madoc’s Ben Danford (right shot) skates in front of his goal during the World Junior Hockey Championship in Minnesota (Photo: Submitted to Quinte News by Lesley Danford)
After a tough game seven loss in the OHL’s Eastern Conference Championships with the Brantford Bulldogs, the AHL’s Toronto Marlies made a call to Danford.
He spoke to Quinte News over the weekend.
“Obviously not the way I wanted to end in Brantford. I wanted to go all the way this year. Three years now, went on a run and came up short (back to back OHL Championship losses in Oshawa), tough pill to swallow. To get to call up to the Marlies and be able to do anything I can to get into that lineup.”
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It has been a busy few weeks he says
“It’s a bit of a whirlwind when you finish your season and then you get called up and you get thrown right into a game and it’s a bit of a transition and everything. Maybe starstruck at first, you know, you never played in pro hockey before and so, look around the room and how important it is to everyone in that room to, go all the way this year, and I want to win too, so putting my best foot forward and trying to, get to know the systems and everything quick and get comfortable that way when it comes to playing.”
He has now played two professional games, both post-season games with the Marlies in the North Division Championship against the Cleveland Monsters.
“There in playoffs, third round and it’s really fun hockey and it’s a lot different than the OHL. It’s really fun though.”
Danford says the team has been welcoming and supportive.
“Coming into training camp for the start of this fall and getting to meet all these guys and they’ve been so welcoming to me, last few days since I’ve come in and, any night that the single is out, I feel like we could beat anyone. This team is just a never-give-up kind of mindset.”
There is a lot to learn in a short amount of time, but Danford tells us he is up for the challenge.
“Just trying to be a sponge. You know, I know Cowan (Ethan), we’re around the same age, we went through development camps together, so we’re pretty close and the older guys on this team have been great.”
Wednesday night in Toronto, the Marlies host the Monsters for game three of the series, which is tied at one win a piece.
