When Fraser Minten’s title appeared on the Bruins’ roster for this weekend’s Prospects Problem in Buffalo, it was a light shock.
The event is often reserved for younger gamers in organizations’ pipelines simply getting their toes moist in professional hockey. The 21-year-old Minten, a 2022 second spherical decide of Toronto acquired by the B’s within the Brandon Carlo commerce, has performed 25 NHL video games between the Maple Leafs and the B’s.
However his participation within the event was not precisely one thing that was internally debated.
“I received a telephone name saying ‘You’ll take part,’” Minten stated with a chuckle.
There was no argument from Minten. He understands he’s nonetheless new to the group, having been acquired simply final March on the deadline and he was not requested to take part at Growth Camp in July.
“For them, they haven’t seen me play a ton, not as a lot as another younger guys so this offers me an additional probability for them to get a take a look at me and my recreation,” stated Minten.
His inclusion within the tourney ought to by no means be translated as a damaging in how the crew views him. The B’s imagine he is usually a strong middle-six NHL defenseman. GM Don Sweeney, who delivered the directive that he play within the event, likened his ability set to that of Charlie Coyle when the commerce was made.
The tourney also needs to present him with a springboard into the principle camp, which opens on September 17. He’s anticipated to push onerous for a spot on the Boston roster.
“It’s good to get some recreation reps. The primary preseason recreation gained’t be my first recreation in order that will likely be good,” stated Minten.
“Each coaching camp is a chance to indicate what you’ve received. I’m going to let it play out and see what occurs. I’m excited to do all the things I can and play actually good hockey.”
It has been a frenetic couple of seasons for Minten, by which he performed for 4 totally different groups in every season. In 2023-24, he performed for 2 totally different junior groups, Kamloops and Saskatoon, the Canadian world junior crew and the Leafs. Final season, he performed for the Leafs, Marlies (AHL), Boston and Windfall (AHL).
“Hopefully there’ll be rather less turmoil this yr,” stated Minten. “However I believe it’s good. Professional hockey’s like that. You’re on the transfer and also you’re an asset that will get moved round. So to get to see that and perceive that at a younger age I don’t suppose hurts. But it surely offers you some motivation to actually give your self a great probability to stay someplace.”
Windfall coach Ryan Mougenel was impressed with Minten each from knowledgeable particular person standpoint.
“He’s tremendous younger and also you wouldn’t understand it should you talked to him. His maturity as an individual exhibits in his recreation as nicely,” stated Mougenel. “Once you draft otherwise you signal gamers, individuals are all the time keen to provide enter. And my telephone completely blew up with simply random individuals who had been related in hockey, not related in hockey that simply improbable issues about Fraser. And once you meet him, you may see why. We received him on the deadline and he was a part of the crew instantly. His teammates embraced him. He embraced us. There’s issues in his recreation that he’s received to get higher at and he takes possession in it. This summer season, he’s put the work in and gotten himself into an actual great spot right here. That’s a part of it. Now it’s time to execute.”
The factor that stands out in Minten’s recreation isn’t any one ability equivalent to velocity or shot however reasonably his general headiness and a spotlight to element, issues which have allowed him to see some NHL expertise at a younger age.
“That’s a giant a part of my recreation,” stated Minten, who has added 10 kilos to his 6-foot-2 body. “I’m in all probability not scoring 30 targets, 30 assists in my rookie yr within the NHL. So it’s about being a man being the primary again on the backcheck, you’re stopping and getting inside, all the small print that go into it. Faceoffs, penalty kill. That’s all the time been one thing I’ve been good at taken delight in, so I’ll proceed to place emphasis on that.”
Mougenel believes these particulars will “defend him” as he rises in his profession and expects any coach to gravitate to his recreation due to it. Alternatively, he wouldn’t thoughts seeing him push the envelope offensively just a bit bit extra.
“We want him to take slightly extra polish to his recreation and never essentially cheat for offense however embrace these alternatives once they current themselves,” stated Mougenel.
Whereas many individuals anticipate Minten making the crew out of camp, the participant is taking a extra measured strategy.
“There’s numerous emphasis on making it on Day One,” stated Minten. “The media places numerous emphasis on should you make it or don’t make it. As a younger man, I believe it’s essential to have a great course of and finally you’re time will come once you’re prepared. And if not, you simply preserve working. You’ve received a number of years and time forward.”…
The B’s rookies will face their Penguin counterparts at 3:30 pm on Friday and the Devils at midday on Sunday. Video games may be seen on bostonbruins.com.
