Fraser Minten release official statement after making the Maple Leafs rooster

Making the Maple Leafs means everything, according to Fraser Minten.

The 19-year-old Minten has slid his way onto the Maple Leafs’ roster to begin the 2023–24 regular season after a camp and preseason in which he blended in like a National Hockey League veteran.

After the Leafs’ practice at the Ford Performance Centre on Monday, Minten remarked, “It means everything.”.
“Being in this situation has been a goal of mine for as long as I have been playing hockey and alive. It is significant.
“.

Following a phone call from Leafs general manager Brad Treliving on Sunday with the news, Minten was centering the Leafs’ third line with wings Matthew Knies and Calle Jarnkrok in the team’s final practice before hosting the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena.

Coach Sheldon Keefe admitted last week that Minten wasn’t on his radar when camp started—certainly not to make the team—and he reaffirmed that position on Monday.

The Leafs believed that Minten, who was chosen 38th overall in 2022, was a promising prospect, and that he would gain more experience at a second camp in Toronto before returning to Kamloops of the Western Hockey League.
.

That still might occur because the Leafs might decide to send Minten to junior once he has played in nine games in order to prevent the start of his entry-level contract.
As Keefe noted, Minten will continue to be assessed over the course of the following few weeks.

But Minten quickly gave the Leafs a lot to think about during training camp.

Since his season ended, Keefe said, “we’ve seen tremendous growth in him.”.
“He is bigger and stronger, and he moves faster.
His competitiveness, intelligence, pro habits, and attention to detail are the foundation of his game, which is probably more significant than anything else.
Normally, when kids are coming out of junior high, you have to spend time getting to know their game.
That is what he brings.
“.

The number of obvious mistakes Minten made in his six preseason games could probably be counted on one hand.
When that.
.

Keefe never experienced a situation where it was obvious that Minten would stick.

It’s the body of work, which Keefe claimed “never really took a step backward.”.
“That’s really what you want to see.

“Sometimes, whether it’s increased competition, playing against more NHL players who are pushing as the season (start) approaches, or the rigors of the pre-season, it takes a toll on you.
And that did not occur.
He has continued to be relevant and part of the conversation because of this.
“.

When Minten performed admirably in back-to-back games in Montreal on Sept.
29 and 30, the kid thought he was starting to get noticed.
.

Minten, who had 67 points in 57 games with Kamloops last season, speculated that maybe after those two games against Montreal, he began to truly believe it.
“You know it’s always possible when you’re here, everyone’s watching you, if you stand out, you’re going to keep getting looks,” she said.
.

“But after those matches, when I was facing difficult opponents and holding my own, I gained the inner assurance that it was a possibility.
“.

William Nylander was moved back to the wing by Keefe due to Minten’s rise in the lineup, though Nylander may occasionally play center this season.
Financially speaking, the Leafs were able to free up $1.15 million US in cap space when they dealt forward Sam Lafferty to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday.
.

In any case, the fact that Minten made the roster of a team that ought to be the Atlantic Division favorite speaks to both his potential and his influence right now.
.

On Sunday, after Minten had finished speaking with Treliving, he called his parents, who were in Kamloops and were watching their younger son, Bryce, play for the Blazers.
On Wednesday night, it’s likely that Minten’s parents will be in the audience.
.

What’s really cool is that they’re just as happy as I am, said Minten.
“I would love to meet them in person at some point so I could give them hugs, express my gratitude for everything, and other things.
They are very happy.
“.