Leafs’ Ben Danford, Tyler Hopkins, John Gruden reflect on ‘unbelievable’ environment at Prospect Showdown

Following a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens prospect team, the Toronto Maple Leafs are entering training camp with some well-earned confidence with a glimpse of professional hockey under their belts. Toronto emerged victorious in a fight-filled contest, as the historical rivalry between both sides lives on, even in a prospects tournament.

Toronto split the weekend, after losing 4-3 to the Ottawa Senators prospect team on Saturday.

“I thought the urgency was really good. We knew it was going to be a great environment and it’s fun for these guys to get in front of 18,000 people and play. It gives them that excitement and what it’s like to play in an NHL rink,” Maple Leafs prospect team head coach John Gruden said.

“It was a great environment but I thought we stuck together as a unit, all five guys when there was any time there was any type of scrum, it seemed like everyone was together and sticking up for their teammates. Getting excited for guys who were blocking shots. There were a lot of good things to like from team camaraderie and how they played today.”

Gruden will be coaching many of these players with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, and provided instruction to each player on what the team expects at the professional level, with participants learning systems and building chemistry with each other.

Maple Leafs defenceman Ben Danford missed last year’s Prospect Showdown due to injury, but relished the experience this time around. Danford turned the puck over, which directly led to Montreal’s lone goal on Sunday, but throughout the week, his skill set and calm with the puck stood out. There’s a chance that Danford could have a legitimate shot of making the NHL roster next fall.

“It was cool. Super cool experience. Yesterday I thought the crowd was bumping and today was even more,” Danford said. “It was a really cool atmosphere, it’s kind of an NHL atmosphere, you get a whiff of that. It was good to get the win today.

“Some guys we played this weekend have some NHL games under their belt. There’s a lot of good players out here. The big boys back at home, hopefully trying to get into a preseason game and stuff, I keep building that way.

Tyler Hopkins was the most impressive Maple Leafs prospect from the 2025 NHL Draft class. Hopkins’ skill and speed were evident, while he continues to model his game after Tampa Bay Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli. The 18-year-old offered a candid self-assessment following Sunday’s win.

“My first time at a real NHL training camp, so the biggest thing is I put my best foot forward, everywhere I could. I thought on the ice I had my ups and downs, adjusting to a different speed than junior,” Hopkins said. “I thought as the course of the games went on, I got better and better, and a little more comfortable and confident with the puck. Had some chances and wasn’t able to get one to go, but over the course of the week I’ve done the best of my abilities.”

Hopkins previously spoke about the Leafs-Canadiens rivalry, with his parents planning on attending Sunday’s game, and it certainly lived up to the hype.

“It was unbelievable. You can tell Montreal really loves their hockey, in a rookie camp game in September. It was full. Puck drop, I was shaking, it was so loud. It was really cool to experience that.”

Toronto will now begin its full training camp this week.