Danforth, 28, who originally signed a one-year contract with the club on May 3, 2021, has registered five goals and two assists for seven points with 36 shots on goal, 51 hits and a +2 plus/minus rating, while averaging 11:30 of ice time in 22 games this season. He made his NHL debut on November 15 vs. Detroit and notched his first career goal in the following game at Arizona (vs. goaltender Scott Wedgewood) on November 18. He has tallied 4-0-4 in his last 11 outings since December 16.
The Oshawa, Ontario native has added 2-3-5 in eight games with the American Hockey League's Cleveland Monsters in 2021-22. He has totaled 6-6-12 and 16 penalty minutes in 29 career AHL games with the Monsters, Rochester Americans and Bridgeport Sound Tigers since making his professional debut in 2016-17.
"We're very excited to sign Justin to this contract extension as he is epitomizes the values we have as a team… hard work, commitment, and determination," said Kekalainen. "He has dedicated himself to becoming an NHL player over the past several years and his game has continued to grow throughout this season. He has become a trusted and valuable contributor on our team."
The 5-9, 188-pound forward posted 23-32-55 and 12 power play goals in 58 appearances with Vityaz Podolsk in the Kontinental Hockey League 2020-21, ranking fifth-T in the league in PPG, sixth in points and seventh-T in goals. He recorded 45-67-112, 99 penalty minutes and a cumulative +33 plus/minus rating over two campaigns with Lukko in Finland's top professional league (Liiga) from 2018-20. He captured the Lasse Oksanen Award as the League's Best Player, the Golden Helmet (top scorer) and was named to the All-Star Team in 2019-20 after leading the league in points and ranking second in goals and fourth-T in assists with 27-33-60 in 56 appearances.
Prior to his two seasons in Finland, Danforth notched 4-3-7 and 16 penalty minutes in 21 career AHL contests with the Americans and Sound Tigers from 2016-18. He also posted 29-33-62 and 42 penalty minutes in 47 career ECHL contests with the Cincinnati Cyclones and Reading Royals and was named the league's Rookie of the Year and to the Second All-Star Team and All-Rookie Team in 2017-18 after tallying 28-31-59 in 44 outings with Cincinnati. He played collegiately at Sacred Heart University, registering 42-82-124 in 147 career games from 2013-17.
FULL JUSTIN DANFORTH STATS
