For millions of Canadians, the World Junior Hockey Championship is the most exciting sports of the year.
We look forward to the tournament, especially when Canada goes through the dark and cold of winter.
For Madoc’s Ben Danford and his family, it is a dream come true.
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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)
The family, along with friends, are in Minnesota for the 2026 tournament and Canada is in the final four.
Father Al Danford says since he and wife Lesley received the call from Ben that he made the team, it has been a whirlwind.
“You never imagine getting that call, especially thinking back all the way through when Ben was in minor hockey and then he takes this next step. Really sunk in when we get here and then you go to the first game and then they skate out, and you realize where you are.”
Lesley Danford tells Quinte News she feels the pressure and the scope that surround the tournament.
“Definitely you do, but sometimes you do have to pinch yourself and remind yourself, whoa our family is actually sitting at the world junior tournament watching Benny play hockey. When you’re amongst all the other families in the same situation, you have to remind yourself sometimes, oh my gosh.”
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(l-r) Marly, Lesley, Ben, Al, and Sydney Danford at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Minnesota. (Photo: Submitted to Quinte News by Lesley Danford)
Joining Lesley and Al are their daughters Marly and Sydney, along with Sydney’s fiancé Dustin, cousins, aunts and uncles, and friends.
Al says although there is no pressure on family, there are a lot of nerves due to the expectations by Canadian fans.
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Canada celebrates a win, including Ben Danford #14 for Canada. (Photo: Submitted to Quinte News by Lesley Danford)
Lesley and Al say they are getting lots of texts, messages, and phone calls from the Quinte region.
The well wishes are coming from all sorts of acquaintances.
“The support for Ben has been unbelievable. People from Madoc, Tweed, Belleville, all over the place. I get texts from Ben’s coaches from when he was in minor hockey, congratulations, good luck. It’s pretty crazy.”
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The Hurst-Fraser family sport t-shirts with Ben Danford’s Quinte Red Devils photo, while at the World Junior Hockey Championships. (Photo: Submitted to Quinte News by Lesley Danford)
The tournament is quick and brings together a lot of players who often play against one another.
Lesley says league rivalries get pushed to the back burner.
“Lots of these boys have played against each other in the OHL and have some pretty feisty encounters with one another, but that’s just all just swept under the rug, and they just come together. It makes me kind of emotional.”
Al says for a lot of the players, they may have a different role than they do with their club team, but because they are all focused on a gold medal, they have bought in.
We finished out the interview asking mom and dad if getting to this point makes them think of the first time on skates and how far things have come.
“Definitely, for sure. Not in a million years did I ever think Ben growing up and playing hockey, did I ever think we would be here, but he’s has worked really hard for this opportunity.”
Canada meets Czechia on Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. EST in the semi-final, with the medal games scheduled for Monday.
