Fraser Minten Explained

Birth Date:5 July 2004
Birth Place:Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height Cm:188
Weight Kg:87
Shoots:Left
League:NHL
Team:Toronto Maple Leafs
Prospect League:WHL
Prospect Team:Saskatoon Blades
Draft:38th overall
Draft Year:2022
Draft Team:Toronto Maple Leafs
Career Start:2023

Fraser Minten (born July 5, 2004) is a Canadian junior ice hockey centre playing for the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League (WHL) as a prospect under contract to the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Minten was selected 38th overall, in the second round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, by the Maple Leafs.

Early life

Minten was born in Vancouver, British Columbia to parents Chantal and Trevor Minten. Growing up, Minten enjoyed reading and playing the piano, influenced by his grandparents, with whom he traveled with during the summer months.[1]

Playing career

Junior

Minten joined West Van Academy Prep where he played with Connor Bedard. Minten was drafted by Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in the fourth round of the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. He joined Kamloops for the 2020–21 season where he progressed from the fourth line to the third line. In his second year, the Blazers made the 2022 WHL playoffs and Minten played in 17 games.[1] In his third season with the Blazers, he averaged over a point per game.[2] After returning to Kamloops in the 2023–24 WHL season, Minten was named captain of the Blazers and had ten points in seven games before he was traded to the Saskatoon Blades for Jordan Keller and four draft picks on November 24, 2023.[3]

Professional

Minten was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the second round, 38th overall of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs on October 13, 2022. Minten attended the Maple Leafs' 2022 training camp but was sent back to the Blazers.[4] He returned for the 2023 training camp and impressed team management, making the Leafs' opening night roster.[5] He played in his first NHL game on October 11, 2023 in a 6–5 shootout victory over the Montreal Canadiens.[6] On October 27, Minten returned to his junior team, the Kamloops Blazers.[7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2019–20Prince George Spruce KingsBCHL2 0 0 0 0
2020–21Kamloops BlazersWHL20 4 14 18 12
2021–22Kamloops BlazersWHL67 20 35 55 5717 6 10 16 4
2022–23Kamloops BlazersWHL57 31 36 67 5510 2 2 4 4
2023–24Toronto Maple LeafsNHL4 0 0 0 2
2023–24Kamloops BlazersWHL7 3 7 10 4
NHL totals4 0 0 0 2

International

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Fraser Minten story: From 'unknown' to the Maple Leafs' opening-night lineup . The Athletic . Kloke . Joshua . October 11, 2023 . October 23, 2023.
  2. Web site: Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #3 - Fraser Minten . The Hockey News . Barden . Nick . August 16, 2023 . October 23, 2023.
  3. Web site: Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten traded in WHL blockbuster . Sportsnet . November 24, 2023 . November 27, 2023.
  4. Web site: Toronto Maple leafs sign top pick Fraser Minten to three-year contract . Sportsnet . October 13, 2022 . October 23, 2023.
  5. Web site: Scout's Analysis: How Fraser Minten earned a spot with the Maple Leafs . Sportsnet . Bukala . Jason . October 17, 2023 . October 23, 2023.
  6. Web site: Maple Leafs open season with 6-5 shoot out win over Montreal Canadiens . The Globe and Mail . Klinkenberg . Marty . October 11, 2023 . October 23, 2023.
  7. Web site: Maple Leafs re-assign Fraser Minten to WHL, recall William Lagesson . Sportsnet . October 27, 2023 . October 30, 2023.