NEWS

Two-time All-Atlantic Hockey selection and former Ontario Junior Hockey League all-star Justin Danforth of Sacred Heart University is the first inductee into the Atlantic Hockey Hall of Honor.

The Pioneer forward starred for three seasons with SHU in Fairfield, CT, tallying 124 points on 42 goals and 82 assists from 2013-17 before embarking on a professional career that saw him make his National Hockey League debut with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2021-22. 

"I had a great relationship with C.J. Marottolo and Scott McDougall," Danforth said. "I think they saw in me the kind of player who could help the program, be a part of building a culture. It was a fun four years. I learned a lot from C.J. and Scotty about building character. They gave me every opportunity."

Danforth played three full seasons (2010-13) with the Cobourg Cougars of the OJHL following a three-game audition as an AP from the Oshawa Generals U18 team the previous year.

In 2012-13, Danforth scored 22 goals and added 34 assists in 43 games with Cobourg and was named to the OJHL’s second all-star team. He represented the OJHL on Team Canada East at the World Jr. A Challenge in 2012 and 2013.

 The Oshawa native had a stellar freshman campaign in 2013-14, earning Atlantic Hockey All-Rookie and Rookie of the Year honors as he led the Pioneers in points (29) and assists. (24) and registered a six-game point streak from Feb. 7-March 1.

After a sophomore season that saw him record 22 points for SHU, Danforth broke out in 2015-16, earning All-Atlantic Hockey accolades for the first time after leading the Pioneers in scoring with a career-high 41 points on 20 goals and 21 assists. 

His season totals included a monster January performance that saw him tie for the national lead for scoring for the month with 18 points, which included notching Sacred Heart’s first hat trick since 2012.

Danforth capped his career in 2016-17 with another All-AHA nod after reaching the 100-career points mark and recording six multi-assist games during the season. 

Danforth’s post-AHA route to Columbus saw him play in the AHL and ECHL as well as in Europe. He spent two seasons with Lukko in Finland’s Liiga, where he won the league’s Best Player award, scoring championship and a spot on the league’s all-star team in 2019-20 after leading the circuit in points with a 27g-33a/60p line. 

He became the first Sacred Heart alum to reach the NHL when he debuted with the Blue Jackets on Nov. 15, 2021 against Detroit. He finished his rookie campaign with 14 points on 10 goals and four assists and was honoUred as the Blue Jackets’ nominee for the NHL’s Bill Masterton Trophy, which is presented each season to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.

Atlantic Hockey 20th Season

The Atlantic Hockey Association is celebrating its 20th season of competition in 2022-23 with the recognition of the top 20 players from the conference’s first two decades. This distinguished group will also comprise the first class of inductees into the Atlantic Hockey Hall of Honor. The honorees will be revealed weekly during the 2022-23 regular season with the final player revealed on Feb. 21.