Photo by: Ben Jackson
Danforth Named to Atlantic Hockey Hall of Honor
9/27/2022 1:09:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
Former AHA Rookie of the Year starred for the Pioneers from 2013-17
WINTHROP, Mass. – Two-time All-Atlantic Hockey selection 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, 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."
The Oshawa, Ont., 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 honored 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.
The Pioneer forward starred for three seasons with SHU, 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."
The Oshawa, Ont., 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 honored 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.
Thanksgiving Baking
Thursday, November 27
Mini Movie: Hockey Fights Cancer
Tuesday, November 26
Saige Harper Paris 2024
Tuesday, April 16
Behind the Boards (MIH): Season 2, Episode 13
Friday, March 08
