Danford, the Leafs' first-round pick in the 2024 draft, departed after an awkward hit in a physical scrimmage.
The Toronto Maple Leafs rookies were back on the ice Thursday getting ready for a pair of games against the Montreal Canadiens prospects this weekend and there appears to already be a casualty.
The Hockey News' Nick Barden reports that defensive prospect Ben Danford had to leave the ice after taking an awkward hit from rookie showdown invitee Marshall Finnie.
"He's being evaluated right now. Hopefully he'll be okay," Toronto Marlies head coach John Gruden said. "But right now he's being evaluated by the staff.
Danford was selected by the Maple Leafs in the first round (31st overall) in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. A lifelong fan, Danford was no doubt excited to put on the jersey for a pair of games this weekend.
"I think there was a feeling out. You want to make sure that they're playing hard and so forth. I still didn't see it because it was in the far corner from the bench I was standing at," Gruden said of the hit. "So I didn't see it. But I know that the player that did unfortunately hit him, felt bad. He said he just felt bad."
Beyond the initial evaluation, there's no word yet from the Leafs if Danford's status for this weekend's games as changed. That'll likely come as the week progresses.
