The Toronto Maple Leafs made waves by selecting Danford with the 31st overall pick in the draft, originally owned by the Edmonton Oilers, and Danford did something everyone will remember.
The 6'1" defenseman from the OHL expressed clear excitement at joining the Leafs, shaking hands with team executives Brad Treliving and Craig Berube on stage. However, notably absent from the handshake was NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, a gesture that sparked attention and applause from fans, reflecting Bettman's divisive reputation within the hockey community.
Danford's performance with the Oshawa Generals included a solid regular season with 33 points in 64 games and an impressive playoff run with 10 points in 21 games. While projected to go in the second to third round, some analysts may view his selection at 31st overall as a reach.
