Connor Bedard says the Leafs have a good one in Fraser Minten ahead of tonight's Leafs/Hawks game
The Maple Leafs play host to Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks tonight, and ahead of the Original Six matchup, Bedard met with the media in Toronto to discuss a variety of topics, including Fraser Minten earning a roster spot with the Leafs out of training camp.
I'm sure most are unaware, but Bedard and Minten were actually teammates with West Van Academy Bantam Prep in 2018-19 and again with West Van Academy Prep in 2019-20. That's why when the Leafs had informed Minten that he had made the team, Bedard was one of the first people he wanted to share the moment with.
"Right when it was announced he made the team we were fired up kind of talking about how it feels like yesterday we were playing on a line together in bantam. It's crazy how time flies. It's really special. I never expected anything less from him. The way he earned that spot & really showed everyone, I think Leafs fans are already really loving him & it's pretty cool to see what he's done." - Bedard on Fraser Minten making the Leafs out of training camp
Everyone knew that Bedard was going to play in the NHL right away, but the prevailing thought before training camp was that Minten would be heading back to the Kamloops Blazers for another season with his junior club. Even Sheldon Keefe himself believed this. However, with the performance he had put forth in camp, Keefe believed that Minten had earned the spot and Brad Treliving delivered the good news to Minten via a personal phone call on Thanksgiving weekend.
Minten is still adjusting to the speed and intensity of the NHL game, but he has not looked out of place thus far and has even had a few good looks around the net, almost scoring his first career NHL goal on Saturday against Minnesota.
I'm sure Bedard and Minten are looking forward to the game tonight and even more sure that they'll touch base afterward to discuss the experience, regardless of the outcome.
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