Top Leafs prospect puts the organization on notice with a highlight reel game-winner
It's been a very unique season for top Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten. After coming into training camp as a longshot to make the roster, Minten defied the odds, securing a roster spot for opening night as a 19-year-old and went on to play 4 games with the Leafs as their 3rd line center before being returned to the Kamloops Blazers, his junior team.
Upon being sent down, Minten was named captain of the Blazers, but within a matter of weeks, he was traded to the Saskatoon Blades. Typically when a player is traded, some growing pains can be expected as they adjust to a new system and new teammates. Well, it hasn't been a problem for Minten.
After posting 10 points in 7 games in Kamloops, Minten has continued to dazzle in Saskatoon, posting 8 goals and 18 points in just 15 games, bringing his totals up to 11 goals and 28 points in 22 games. His 11th goal of the season was an absolute beauty, and secured the win for Saskatoon in overtime over the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday.
Minten started the play behind his own net, picking up speed as he cut across the middle and into the neutral zone. Almost entirely unimpeded at first, Minten found himself surging into the Swift Current zone 1-on-1 with the defenseman before pulling off a slick move to juke the defender out of his socks and coming in all alone on the goaltender, making no mistake with the soft touch finish. You can see the full highlight below:
After an underwhelming World Junior Championship tournament with Team Canada, Minten has really kicked things up a notch with the Blades, almost appearing like he has something to prove.
For Minten, the goal now will be to compete hard and help lead his team to a WHL championship and perhaps a Memorial Cup as well. Then, when next training camp rolls around, he'll look to secure a job in Toronto once again, only this time, he'll try to see to it that he remains with the big club all season.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 29 | 417 ANSWERS Top Leafs prospect puts the organization on notice with a highlight reel game-winner Will Fraser Minten be a full-time NHLer next season? | ||
| Yes | 304 | 72.9 % |
| No | 113 | 27.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
