The Leafs acquired the 31st overall pick from the Edmonton Oilers using it to select Ben Danford, a 6'1" OHL defenseman.
While moving along the handshake line to welcome him to the NHL, he would pass on a handshake from Bettman.
A move we all would do given the chance:
Of course, he did shake the hands of those with the confidence enough to draft him with GM Brad Treliving, Coach Craig Berube, but that is a given.
Gary Bettman felt the diss, as he wasn't given the same respect as Maple Leafs personnel.
Fans will undoubtedly love Danford if this is how he operates. Gary Bettman's name is infamous in hockey for his terrible job as NHL Commissioner, 30+ years in.
Danford scored 33 points(1 G, 32 A) in 64 games with the Oshawa Generals in the OHL.
In the OHL playoffs, Danford would continue to contribute with 10 points( 4 G, 6 A) in 21 games.
He was expected to go later in the second or third round, but this would make his draft spot seem questionable, by pundits and scouts around the league.
The snub of Bettman, should continue unabated.
POLL | ||
JUIN 30 | 123 ANSWERS Gary Bettman's handshake gets blown off by NHL first round draft pick Do you think Justin Danford should have been selected 31st overall? | ||
Yes | 47 | 38.2 % |
No | 76 | 61.8 % |
List of polls |