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“That allowed me to play regular minutes last year (51 games, five points, 56 penalty minutes). That’s what I’m going to have to continue to do to stay in the lineup.”

Harpur took note of how Zdeno Chara and Chris Pronger evolved into behemoths who expanded their repertoire and won a Norris Trophy.

“Chara was always a good one to grow up watching, though he’s a couple of inches taller than me, and Pronger was another. The biggest thing was watching their positioning. I don’t think you’re going to be as quick and nimble as a smaller guy, but maybe you can use your reach and be in the right position at all times.”

Harpur began as a forward until just before joining the Guelph Storm. A fourth-round pick of Ottawa, he made a notable impact in the 2017 playoffs, but his first NHL goal didn’t come until last year — in Erik Karlsson’s return to Bytown after his trade to San Jose.

Now Harpur, Ceci and centre Aaron Luchuk have to switch sides in the Battle of Ontario. Not a problem for Big Ben.

“My dad (George) grew up in Markham and his dad (Ted) was a cop in Toronto, a detective for a while, so I grew up watching the Leafs at home,” Harpur said.

That attachment didn’t fade when Ben was raised in Niagara-on-the-Lake, with George a surgeon at the nearby Greater Niagara General Hospital.

“My family history is so interesting. Ted was a cop who came from Northern Ireland when my dad was about seven. He kind of came over to get away from the civil war stuff over there. My mom (Margery) was about seven when she came over from Australia. My parents met at the University of Guelph, doing their undergrad, and I ended up playing junior there.

“I’m excited to be here and I know my family is excited I’m closer to home.”

Harpur moved to Toronto within a week of the trade and knows his way around the training facility and is getting a handle on a whole new group of faces.

“I decided to come in and familiarize myself with everyone, better than jumping into the fire right when training camp starts. Everything has been great, the training staff and all the guys. It’s a new team.”