Why rookie Ben Danford has been able to step right into Marlies lineup

20-year-old has been a rock on the blue line; Toronto's AHL squad heads into Game 3 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton staked to 2-0 series lead

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Published May 31, 2026  •  3 minute read

Defenceman Ben Danford is pictured with the Brantford Bulldogs during a game against the Niagara IceDogs earlier this season. Postmedia Network

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Ben Danford will be the first to tell you, as he says, that his style of hockey won’t “jump off the page.”

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That’s the point, though, with the manner in which the 20-year-old rookie defenceman plays the game.

Since joining the Toronto Marlies during their playoff run, Danford has been a rock on the blue line, providing a fresh dose of steadiness as the Marlies head into Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final on Monday night against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven.

“He doesn’t have an identity issue,” Marlies coach John Gruden told the Toronto Sun after practice on Sunday morning at the Coca-Cola Coliseum. “He knows what he is. It’s hard to find that in young defencemen. They all want to be running power plays, they all want to be on the ice in all offensive situations.

“The way he defends and the way he does it so well, it makes his offence that much better, because he’s always in the right position defensively. He has done a really good job for us.”

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Danford has played in the Marlies’ past seven games, turning disappointment from an earlier-than-expected exit from the Ontario Hockey League playoffs with the Brantford Bulldogs into an increasing level of excitement the deeper that the Marlies advance in the Calder Cup playoffs.

What kind of adjustment has there been for Danford?

The Maple Leafs’ first-round pick two years ago, Danford has found that his straightforward approach has served him well in his first taste of minor-league professional hockey. There has been an adjustment to defending against older, stronger players than what he faced in the OHL, but it has not been a significant challenge.

“Don’t overdo things, have a good first pass, get my feet up ice, get shots on net, just simplify,” Danford said. “It has been a bit of a whirlwind joining this team in the middle of a playoff push, but the guys have been so welcoming.”

Gruden and Jay McKee, Danford’s coach with Brantford and named on Friday as the coach of the new Hamilton Hammers of the AHL, have been texting each other regarding Danford. Lately, Gruden’s texts have read the same: Every game Danford plays, he gets better.

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“You can see his confidence growing each play, each shift,” Gruden said. “He continues to get stronger, and it’s not an easy thing to do.”

It’s not just Danford who should be stirring Leafs Nation. Fellow rookie defenceman Noah Chadwick’s fine first AHL season has continued through the post-season.

It would be one thing if the two were taking big steps as the regular season wound its course. That they’re doing it when the on-ice intensity is at its highest speaks to their bright futures.

“For two rookies playing in these moments is huge for not only us as we continue to move on in these playoffs, but huge for their careers … they’re living it,” Gruden said. “We’ve all been around long enough to know a player when you see a player, and they’re players. They’re trending in the right direction and that’s definitely a lot to look forward to for Leafs fans.”

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What’s the status of forward Easton Cowan?

Cowan missed Game 2 against Wilkes-Barre with an upper-body issue that’s not thought to be overly serious, but he was not on the ice for practice on Sunday.

The Marlies aren’t going to push it with Cowan. Whether he plays in Game 3 at the Coca-Cola Coliseum is to be determined.

“He’s still questionable,” Gruden said. “If he’s healthy, he’ll play, and if he’s not, then we’ll keep him out for another game.”

From what Gruden understood, Cowan, who turned 21 on May 20, will take part in the morning skate on Monday. From there, a decision will be made regarding his status for the game.

With nine points (five goals and four assists) in 14 playoff games, Cowan is tied for second among AHL rookies in post-season scoring.

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