Leafs prospect Ben Danford snubs Gary Bettman during NHL draft
Amidst the festivities of the 2024 NHL draft, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford caused a scene by snubbing NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman live on air.
Last night's round one of the 2024 NHL draft was a big hit for all hockey fans watching. Aside from the bold graphics displayed at the Las Vegas Sphere, one player's surprise became a viral sensation. This was, of course, the Oshawa Generals forward Beckett Sennecke, who was taken third overall by the Anaheim Ducks.
Sennecke was not the only Oshawa Generals player to be drafted in the first round. Joining him was defenseman Ben Danford, who was picked 31st overall, and was later seen in a photo-op with his drafted teammate.
However, Danford's night was characterized by more than just a media opportunity with his teammate. He was better recognized from the scene he created during the moment he was drafted by Toronto. After making it on stage and shaking the hands of his new team's leadership, he nubbed NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman by skipping him at the end of the line.
While this is not a typical display from a newly drafted prospect, many Leafs fans and Bettman haters are happy with Danford's brazenness. Even without a shift in the NHL, he already has garnered a new fanbase. Hopefully, his actions here will not impact his future in the league.
Source: Hockey Patrol
Ben Danford snubs Gary Bettman after being picked 31st by Maple Leafs
| POLL | ||
JUIN 29 | 142 ANSWERS Leafs prospect Ben Danford snubs Gary Bettman during NHL draft Did Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ben Danford get picked at the right spot in the NHL draft? | ||
| Yes | 70 | 49.3 % |
| No, too early | 53 | 37.3 % |
| No, too late | 19 | 13.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Mitch Marner | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Logan Cooley | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| William Nylander | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jack McBain | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Dylan Guenther | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Michael Kesselring | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Fraser Minten | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mikhail Sergachev | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Chris Tanev | - | 1 | 1 | |
| John Tavares | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Simon Benoit | - | - | - | |
| Nick Bjugstad | - | - | - | |
| Michael Carcone | - | - | - | |
| Ian Cole | - | - | - | |
| Lawson Crouse | - | - | - | |
| Connor Dewar | - | - | - | |
| Oliver Ekman-Larsson | - | - | - | |
| Barrett Hayton | - | - | - | |
| Pontus Holmberg | - | - | - | |
| Clayton Keller | - | - | - | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 21 | 17 | 4 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 30 | |
Devils | 23 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 30 | |
Hurricanes | 20 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 29 | |
Golden Knights | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Maple Leafs | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 20 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 27 | |
Flames | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 27 | |
Stars | 19 | 13 | 6 | - | 26 | |
Rangers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||