Number: 17
Date of Birth: March 15, 1993 (age 29)
Birthplace: Oshawa, Ontario
Height, Weight: 5-9, 180
Stats: 45 GP, 10-4-14
Contract: Signed through 2023-24 season (Two years remaining until UFA status)
Making his NHL debut at age 28 this past season with the Blue Jackets, Justin Danforth Didn’t take any shortcuts to Columbus. He took the long route, with a couple extra turns along the way.
Instead of forging through the OHL like many Ontario natives hoping to play at the top, Danforth played in the Ontario Junior Hockey League. He went on to play Division I hockey at Sacred Heart University, a program that at the time had never produced an NHL player.
From there he started his professional career in the ECHL, notching an 18-31-59 stat line in 44 games while in Cincinnati in 2017-18. Danforth subsequently played for two years with Lukko in the Finnish Liiga, winning the Lasse Oksanen Award (league’s best player) in 2020 while totaling 112 points in 115 games over the two seasons. He then spent the 2020-21 season in the KHL with Vityaz before finally coming to Columbus for his NHL debut in 2021.
“He’s such a great story, I’m telling you,” head coach Brad Larsen said late in the season after Danforth had switched positions from center to wing and added a physical element to his game to stick with the CBJ. “He’s done it the right way. He’s done everything he can to make himself relevant and in the lineup. Now I see him every day. I told him I need to see him every day, and he’s earning my trust.
“It’s such a great story because so many guys are stubborn and don’t want to change or don’t think they can change. He’s done it. Good for him. Every night he competes. I notice him every night, and I love that.”
Danforth ended his rookie season with 10 goals in just 45 games. That got the Blue Jackets’ attention and was enough for Danforth to earn two more years here in Columbus via a contract extension signed late in the season.
Top Moment of 2021-22
After spending time overseas and in hockey’s minor leagues, Danforth finally paid enough dues to play in the NHL. There were many special moments for the Danforth family this past season, but none compared to the night of March 16, when Kent and Yvonne Danforth watched their son take the ice against their hometown Senators. A 4-1 Jackets win made the night that much sweeter.
Video: Danforths catch Justin’s game!
A Danforth Highlight
Video: CBJ@ARI: Danforth outworks his man to take lead
Stat to Know
Despite being only 5-9, Danforth isn’t afraid of anybody, as he threw himself into 85 hits last season. Physicality is a big part of his game, and there are no intentions to slow down.
2022-23 Expectations
Danforth has experience. He knows how to produce, and he knows how to score. He also knows how to play the right way, earning notice from the likes of Sidney Crosby throughout last season. Looking into next year, The Blue Jackets have a lot of depth and talent in the forward group, but spots on the bottom two lines are up for grabs. Danforth can play on the wing and at center, so he can fill a lot of roles. He might not play every night, but as a versatile, dependable option, it’s not hard to see him carve out a role again with the Jackets.
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