"Meanwhile, 2024 fourth-round pick Victor Johansson will represent Team Sweden as both teams look to compete for a medal. Team Canada is looking to rebound after two disappointing showings at the tournament back-to-back in 2024 and 2025, going without a medal two years in a row for the first time since 2013/2014, meanwhile Team Sweden find themselves in a similar spot after finishing fourth last season."
"Danford, 19, likely won't find the scoresheet each night and may not even be in the lineup for each game given the abundance that Canada has of right-handed defenceman. When he is in the lineup, however, he's going to be used in a role that coaches rely on heavily. He'll be eating minutes on the penalty kill and will provide a safe, stay-at-home presence for whoever his defensive partner ends up being."
The World Junior Championships begin on Boxing Day in Minneapolis and St. Paul, with two Toronto Maple Leafs prospects making tournament debuts. Defenceman Ben Danford, the Leafs' 31st overall pick in 2024, will play for Team Canada, expected to serve on the penalty kill and provide a stay-at-home defensive presence while eating minutes in defensive deployment. Victor Johansson, a 2024 fourth-round pick, will represent Team Sweden after a breakout season in Sweden's junior league that led to a spot with Oskarshamn IK of the SHL. Both Canada and Sweden enter seeking improved results after disappointing finishes in recent tournaments.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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