The 2021-22 season was a whirlwind for Fraser Minten, and it led to the Vancouver, BC native being drafted by the Leafs drafting him 38th overall at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft last week. Easily one of the most improved young players this season in the WHL, Minten posted 20 goals and 55 points in 67 games for the Kamloops Blazers, finishing very strong in the second half and posting 16 points in 17 playoff games on a deep run for the Blazers.
The Leafs reportedly had Minten listed as a top-15 player on their internal draft rankings list, so, naturally, when he was still available at #38, they pounced. Having JUST turned 18 on July 5th, Minten is still a few years away from becoming a Leaf, but the expectation is that the 6'1, 185-pound center will take a huge step forward in the WHL next season and push for a job with the Marlies in 2023-24.
But just because we won't see Minten in the NHL for awhile doesn't mean that we won't get a good look at him this year. According to TLN's Kyle Cushman, Minten has just been named to Team Canada's summer development camp and will hopefully challenge for a spot on Canada's 2023 World Junior team later this month.
Just to clarify, this isn't for the upcoming tournament (the 2022 re-schedule) next month. Minten's invite is for the 2023 tournament development camp, which will take place at the end of December.
Last year, we watched Leafs prospect and 7th round draft pick Ryan Tverberg come close to making the team, so it will be interesting to see whether or not Minten will have a shot to make the team. It would be nice to have someone from the Leafs' prospect pool on Team Canada to root for in the tournament!
