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Justin Danforth

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Justin Danforth
Born (1993-03-15) March 15, 1993 (age 31)
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Columbus Blue Jackets
Lukko
HC Vityaz
National team  Canada
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2017–present

Justin Danforth (born March 15, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who can also play as a winger. He currently plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the ECHL Rookie of the Year in 2018 with the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Prior to turning professional, Danforth played four years at Sacred Heart University where he was honoured as AHA Rookie of the Year and selected for the AHA First All-Star Team, AHA Second All-Conference Team, and AHA All-Rookie Team.

Internationally, he has represented Canada at the 2011 and 2012 World Junior A Challenge and at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, where he won gold.

Playing career

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Amateur

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Danforth began skating at the age of four and played hockey around his hometown through the Oshawa Minor Hockey Association and later the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). Standing at 5 foot 8 as a youth, Danforth stated he was constantly told he was too short to play hockey, although this did not deter him. Before joining the OJHL, Danforth played for the Oshawa Minor Generals in the Oshawa Minor Hockey Association.[1]

After finishing his Midget AAA years with the Oshawa Minor Generals, Danforth played in the OJHL with the Cobourg Cougars starting in the 2009–10 season. In 2012, Danforth participated in the Central Canada Cup where he led the OJHL East Division All-Star Team to a tournament title and was subsequently named tournament MVP.[2] He was named to the OJHL Second All-Star Team at the conclusion of the 2013–14 season.[3]

On June 3, 2013, Danforth committed to play NCAA Division 1 ice hockey for Sacred Heart University while studying sports management. He stated that playing in the OJHL with the Cougars was critical to him earning an NCAA scholarship.[4]

Collegiate

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Danforth began his rookie season at Sacred Heart during the 2013–14 season. He played in 36 games and led the team with 29 total points during the season.[5] He recorded his first two collegiate points on October 16 in a 3–1 win over Bentley University.[6] He helped the team qualify for the 2014 Atlantic Hockey Tournament where they lost in the first round to Canisius College.[7] At the conclusion of the season, Danforth was named to the AHA All-Rookie Team[8] and AHA Rookie of the Year.[9]

In his sophomore year, Danforth played in 38 games and recorded 22 points.[5] He helped Sacred Heart qualify for the 2015 Atlantic Hockey Tournament where they lost in the Quarterfinals to Canisius.[10] He was named to the 2014–15 Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team for having a 3.0 grade point average or higher while competing.[11]

In his junior season, Danforth picked up productivity and recorded 41 points in 36 games which set a new career high. He recorded his first collegiate hat trick in a 6–4 win over the Mercyhurst Lakers on January 16, 2016, and was subsequently named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Month for January after tying for third in the nation in points.[12] He ended the season being selected for the Atlantic Hockey All-Conference Second Team[13] and the Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team.[14]

In June 2016, Danforth was invited to the Florida Panthers development camp which ran from June 11–15.[15] He returned to the Pioneers for his senior year where he was named an assistant captain and led the team with 32 points.[5] He recorded his 100th collegiate point on November 22, 2016, becoming the 13th Pioneer player to reach that milestone and concluded the season being named to the Atlantic Hockey All-Conference First Team.[16]

Professional

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Danforth with the Blue Jackets being checked by Eeli Tolvanen of the Seattle Kraken in 2024.

After graduating, Danforth signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Reading Royals of the ECHL. However, after three games with the Royals, Danforth signed another amateur tryout with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League (AHL).[17] A few days later, Danforth signed another amateur tryout with an AHL team, the Rochester Americans.[18] His amateur tryout converted into an AHL contract for the 2017–18 season on April 22, 2017.[19]

Danforth spent the 2017–18 season moving between the AHL and ECHL. He was named to Team Central at the ECHL All-Star Game after leading all rookies with 37 points.[20] He was also named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team, All-ECHL Second Team and eventually ECHL Rookie of the Year at the conclusion of the season. Despite him spending almost two months in the AHL, he still ranked third amongst all ECHL rookies with 59 points.[21]

On May 8, 2018, Danforth left North America and joined Lukko of the Finnish Liiga.[22] He signed a contract extension with the team on February 27, 2019.[23] Prior to the 2019–20 season, he was named an alternate captain.[24] In the 2019–20 season, Danforth's 27 goals scored were second in Liiga, behind just Julius Nättinen.[25]

As a free agent, Danforth left Finland for Russia, agreeing to a one-year contract with HC Vityaz of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), on May 2, 2020.[26] In the 2020–21 season, Danforth posted 23 goals and 32 assists for 55 points in 58 games to lead the club in scoring and placed sixth league wide.

Following three standout seasons abroad, Danforth returned to North America and was signed to his first NHL contract in signing a one-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on May 3, 2021.[27] On November 15, 2021, Danforth made his NHL debut in 5–3 win over the Detroit Red Wings. He is the first NHL player from Sacred Heart University.[28] Danforth scored his first NHL goal on November 19, 2021, in Columbus' 5–4 win over the Arizona Coyotes.[29]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2021 Latvia

In November 2011, Danforth was selected to Team Canada East at the 2011 World Junior A Challenge[30] where he helped the team win a silver medal.[31] He was again selected the following year for the 2012 World Junior A Challenge,[32] where the team placed fourth in the tournament. He won gold with Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship.[33]

Personal life

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Danforth's father Kent played lacrosse as a youth and Danforth followed in his footsteps until the age of 15.[34] His older brother Brandon also played hockey and lacrosse growing up.[35]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Oshawa Generals AAA ETA U18 — — — — — — — — — —
2009–10 Cobourg Cougars OJHL 3 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2010–11 Cobourg Cougars OJHL 47 13 23 36 26 10 2 1 3 3
2011–12 Cobourg Cougars OJHL 41 22 27 49 40 5 2 3 5 4
2012–13 Cobourg Cougars OJHL 43 22 34 56 42 9 3 11 14 8
2013–14 Sacred Heart University AHA 36 5 24 29 24 — — — — —
2014–15 Sacred Heart University AHA 38 7 15 22 26 — — — — —
2015–16 Sacred Heart University AHA 36 20 21 41 22 — — — — —
2016–17 Sacred Heart University AHA 37 10 22 32 53 — — — — —
2016–17 Reading Royals ECHL 3 1 2 3 2 — — — — —
2016–17 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2016–17 Rochester Americans AHL 5 2 0 2 4 — — — — —
2017–18 Rochester Americans AHL 15 2 3 5 12 — — — — —
2017–18 Cincinnati Cyclones ECHL 44 28 31 59 40 2 0 0 0 2
2018–19 Lukko Liiga 59 18 34 52 73 7 2 2 4 0
2019–20 Lukko Liiga 56 27 33 60 26 — — — — —
2020–21 HC Vityaz KHL 58 23 32 55 50 — — — — —
2021–22 Cleveland Monsters AHL 8 2 3 5 0 — — — — —
2021–22 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 45 10 4 14 10 — — — — —
2022–23 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 6 2 1 3 4 — — — — —
2023–24 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 71 10 16 26 26 — — — — —
Liiga totals 115 45 67 112 99 7 2 2 4 0
KHL totals 58 23 32 55 50 — — — — —
NHL totals 122 22 21 43 40 — — — — —

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2011 Canada East WJAC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 4 1 0 1 4
2012 Canada East WJAC 4th 5 1 0 1 18
2021 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 9 1 0 1 12
Junior totals 9 2 0 2 22
Senior totals 9 1 0 1 12

Awards and honours

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Award Year Ref
OJHL
Central Canada Cup All-Star Challenge MVP 2012 [3]
OJHL Second All-Star Team 2013
College
AHA All-Rookie Team 2014 [5]
NCAA (AHA) Rookie of the Year 2014
AHA Second All-Conference Team 2016
AHA First All-Star Team 2017
ECHL
ECHL All-Rookie Team 2018 [21]
ECHL Rookie of the Year 2018
ECHL Second All-Star Team 2018
ECHL All-Star Game 2018 [20]

References

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  1. ^ Rellinger, Paul (December 9, 2012). "Hockey paves way to education for Cobourg Cougar". northumberlandnews.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  2. ^ "Oshawa's Justin Danforth jersey on display at Hockey Hall of Fame". durhamregion.com. July 11, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "OJHL ALL-STAR TEAMS ANNOUNCED". ojhl.pointstreaksites.com. February 26, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  4. ^ "Justin Danforth to Play for Sacred Heart Pioneers". cobourgcougars.pointstreaksites.com. June 3, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d "Justin Danforth". shubigred.com. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  6. ^ "Pioneers Use Power Play To Take Down Bentley In Atlantic Hockey Opener". sacredheartpioneers.com. October 16, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2019. Freshmen Mitch Nylen (Lawrenceville, Ga.) and Justin Danforth (Oshawa, Ont.) each had two points in the game, their first points as Pioneers
  7. ^ "Men's Hockey Falls To Canisius 5-0, Gets Swept Out Of Atlantic Hockey Tournament". shubigred.com. March 8, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  8. ^ "Justin Danforth And Mitch Nylen Named To Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie Team". sacredheartpioneers.com. March 6, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  9. ^ "SARJEANT & DANFORTH TOP AHA AWARDS". pointstreaksites.com. March 20, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  10. ^ "Pioneers' Season Ends With 2-1 Loss At Canisius In Game Two of AHC Quarterfinals". shubigred.com. March 14, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  11. ^ "SHU Men's Hockey Places 20 Pioneers On Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team". sacredheartpioneers.com. June 29, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  12. ^ "Justin Danforth Named AHC Player of the Month". sacredheartpioneers.com. February 3, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  13. ^ "Justin Danforth Named To Atlantic Hockey All-Conference Second Team". sacredheartpioneers.com. March 9, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  14. ^ "Twenty Pioneers Named To Atlantic Hockey All-Academic Team". sacredheartpioneers.com. June 22, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  15. ^ "Three Pioneers Participate In NHL Development Camps". sacredheartpioneers.com. July 19, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  16. ^ "Justin Danforth Selected to Atlantic Hockey First Team All-Conference". shubigred.com. March 9, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  17. ^ "Sound Tigers Add Sacred Heart Product". soundtigers.com. March 15, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  18. ^ "AMERKS INK THREE TO AMATEUR TRYOUTS". amerks.com. March 24, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  19. ^ "AMERKS SIGN DANFORTH TO AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE CONTRACT". amerks.com. April 22, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  20. ^ a b "DANFORTH NAMED TO TEAM CENTRAL ECHL ALL-STAR TEAM". amerks.com. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  21. ^ a b "DANFORTH NAMED ECHL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR". cycloneshockey.com. April 9, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  22. ^ "Kanadalaishyökkääjä Justin Danforth Rauman Lukkoon". raumanlukko.fi (in Finnish). May 8, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  23. ^ "Justin Danforth pysyy Lukko-paidassa" (February 27, 2019). raumanlukko.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  24. ^ "Tapio Laaksosta kapteeni, Justin Danforth ja Toni Koivisto kapteenistoon". raumanlukko.fi (in Finnish). August 7, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  25. ^ "2019-2020 Regular Season Player Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  26. ^ "May 2 Transfers" (in Russian). Kontinental Hockey League. May 2, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  27. ^ "CBJ sign Justin Danforth to one-year contract". Columbus Blue Jackets. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  28. ^ "Danforth becomes Sacred Heart's first NHL player". November 18, 2021.
  29. ^ Hedger, Brian. "Blue Jackets outlast Arizona Coyotes in rollercoaster shootout win to start road trip". The Columbus Dispatch.
  30. ^ Rellinger, Paul (November 7, 2011). "Justin Danforth to represent the Cobourg Cougars at World Junior A Challenge". northumberlandnews.com. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  31. ^ "CANADA EAST MEMBERS HONOURED". ojhl.pointstreaksites.com. November 21, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  32. ^ "Whitby's Troy Josephs, Oshawa's Justin Danforth make Canada East roster". durhamregion.com. Toronto. November 2, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  33. ^ Portzline, Aaron. "'It's emotional for me': Justin Danforth's worldwide journey finally leads to NHL debut with Blue Jackets". The Athletic.
  34. ^ "SM-liigassa häkellyttää jopa NHL-ennätyksen murskannut pikakiitäjä – oma luisteluvalmentaja jo 6-vuotiaana: "Aikaisia aamuja oli paljon"". mtvuutiset.fi (in Finnish). January 23, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  35. ^ "Play Like there is no Tomorrow! Machinists Son Excels in World Under 19 Junior Tournament". iamaw.ca. December 21, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
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Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database

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