A top Leafs prospect facing likely training camp cut, reveals his primary focus
Fraser Minten has become of the top prospects within the Leafs' pipeline in short order, largely due to a very strong training camp last fall, which he followed up with an improved 2022-23 campaign in the WHL. Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Minten is now eyeing a roster spot on the Canadian World Junior Championship Team roster this winter.
Team Canada has won both of the last 2 WJC tournaments, and 3 of the last 4 to stake their claim as the top hockey nation. The 2024 rendition should feature good prospects in Zach Benson, Matthew Savoie, Nate Danielson, Matthew Wood, and draft-eligible, Macklin Celebrini.
There aren't many standouts like the Canadians featured last year in Connor Bedard, Dylan Guenther, Logan Stankoven, and Adam Fantilli. That may bode well for Minten's chances if he continues to improve this season with the Kamloops Blazers.
In 2020-21, he scored 4 goals and 18 points in 20 games. In his draft season, he tallied 20 goals and 55 points in 67 games. Last season, Minten took a major step, scoring 31 goals and 67 points in 57 games, despite starting the season injured. Now on the Team Canada radar, it will be up to Minten to get off to a hot start.
It's not over for Minten at Maple Leafs training camp yet, however. He is on the Leafs' game roster for tonight's matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. A strong game against the Sabres could yet extend his say with the Leafs in camp. Regardless of when he is sent back to Kamloops, the goal remains the same for Minten. Make Team Canada for this winter's WJC tourney.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 27 | 244 ANSWERS A top Leafs prospect facing likely training camp cut, reveals his primary focus Will Fraser Minten make Team Canada's WJC roster this year? | ||
| Yes | 210 | 86.1 % |
| No | 34 | 13.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
