'It's Hard To Believe He's Only Played A Couple Of Pro Games': How Maple Leafs Prospect Fraser Minten Got Off To Strong Start With AHL Marlies

Nick Barden, The Hockey News | November 18th, 2024

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten has hit the ground running in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies.

The forward, coming off a high-ankle sprain suffered during the Prospect Showdown against the Montreal Canadiens, made his AHL debut in a 4-3 win over the Charlotte Checkers on Nov. 9. 

Eight minutes into the game, Minten registered an assist on Logan Shaw's goal. It was the start of the 20-year-old's journey at the professional level which already has him with points in three straight games.

"It’s been pretty good. Just playing my game, like, being a guy the coach can trust, be versatile, reliable, working back hard and then trying to get up the ice, hold onto pucks, make plays, and just play a good all-around game," Minten said in a one-on-one interview on Friday. "Nothing special."

When Minten was fully cleared to return, there were questions about how he'd look at the AHL level. Even more so after coming off a high-ankle sprain, which some players say is difficult to rebound from.

But the forward has shown how good of a player he can be at both ends of the rink. And during Wednesday's game (his third of the season) against the Cleveland Monsters, lined up between Nikita Grebenkin and Alex Nylander, Minten registered his first professional goal.

"He plays the right way. He plays 200 feet, stops on pucks, physical, big guy, and he’s a winner. Playing on Team Canada last year as well," Marlies head coach John Gruden said after Friday's practice. 

"He understands the game. Having that has actually been good for (Nikita) Grebenkin and (Alex) Nylander as well."

The Maple Leafs drafted Minten in the second round (38th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Toronto liked the center's all-around game at both ends of the rink. The organization also favoured Minten's leadership and determination.

Gruden, who coached the forward during last year's Traverse City Prospects Tournament, and the Prospect Showdown in Montreal, is getting to witness Minten's hockey smarts.

"He’s probably, besides Logan Shaw, probably one of the next closest guys to being a coach after Logan," Gruden said. "He just has a lot of good qualities. He’s a sponge. You usually only have to tell him once. It’s a good quality to have, especially as a 20-year-old."