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Jay Tup: Maple Leafs’ Top Prospect Receives World Juniors Invite |
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Maple Leafs’ Top Prospect Receives World Juniors Invite
Hockey Canada has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently, with its off-ice struggles far outweighing its on-ice performance. With the conclusion of the recent trial, the organization can finally shift its focus back to the game itself.
However, the on-ice product has not been a resounding success either, especially at the junior level. Canada has struggled in recent tournaments, failing to win a medal in consecutive years. To the average fan, it seems Canada has fallen behind in player development, while others point to questionable management decisions as the root of the problem.
Today, Hockey Canada released the names of the 44 invitees to its Summer Showcase. Among them was Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford, a stay-at-home defenseman who took major strides forward with the Oshawa Generals in his first post-draft year. His invitation to a Team Canada showcase caught many by surprise.
So, why did Danford get the invite?
According to multiple sources, Hockey Canada is looking to build a more specialized roster. Rather than forcing an offensive-minded player into a defensive role, the new philosophy is to select defenders already accustomed to that responsibility. With London Knights’ owner Mark Hunter now involved in the selection process, the inclusion of a player with Danford's profile makes perfect sense.
Despite being a good fit, Danford still faces a tough challenge: he must be one of the eight defenders selected from a pool of twelve invitees. With names like Zayne Parekh, Matthew Schaefer, and Kashawn Aitcheson also in the mix, the task of making the final roster will be easier said than done. Only time will tell, but this is a fantastic opportunity for the young defenseman.
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