When Fraser Minten’s name appeared on the Bruins’ roster for this weekend’s Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, it was a mild surprise.
The tournament is usually reserved for young players in organizations’ pipelines just getting their feet wet in pro hockey. The 21-year-old Minten, a 2022 second round pick of Toronto acquired by the B’s in the Brandon Carlo trade, has played 25 NHL games between the Maple Leafs and the B’s.
But his participation in the tournament was not exactly something that was internally debated.
“I got a phone call saying ‘You will participate,’” Minten said with a chuckle.
There was no argument from Minten. He understands he’s still new to the organization, having been acquired just last March at the deadline and he was not asked to participate at Development Camp in July.
“For them, they haven’t seen me play a ton, not as much as some other young guys so this gives me an extra chance for them to get a look at me and my game,” said Minten.
His inclusion in the tourney should in no way be translated as a negative in how the team views him. The B’s believe he can be a solid middle-six NHL defenseman. GM Don Sweeney, who delivered the directive that he play in the tournament, likened his skill set to that of Charlie Coyle when the trade was made.
The tourney should also provide him with a springboard into the main camp, which opens on September 17. He’s expected to push hard for a spot on the Boston roster.
“It’s nice to get some game reps. The first preseason game won’t be my first game so that will be nice,” said Minten.
“Every training camp is an opportunity to show what you’ve got. I’m going to let it play out and see what happens. I’m excited to do everything I can and play really good hockey.”
It has been a frenetic couple of seasons for Minten, in which he played for four different teams in each season. In 2023-24, he played for two different junior teams, Kamloops and Saskatoon, the Canadian world junior team and the Leafs. Last season, he played for the Leafs, Marlies (AHL), Boston and Providence (AHL).
“Hopefully there’ll be a little less turmoil this year,” said Minten. “But I think it’s good. Pro hockey’s like that. You’re on the move and you’re an asset that gets moved around. So to get to see that and understand that at a young age I don’t think hurts. But it gives you some motivation to really give yourself a good chance to stick somewhere.”
Providence coach Ryan Mougenel was impressed with Minten both from a professional person standpoint.
“He’s super young and you wouldn’t know it if you talked to him. His maturity as a person shows in his game as well,” said Mougenel. “When you draft or you sign players, people are always willing to give input. And my phone absolutely blew up with just random people who were connected in hockey, not connected in hockey that just fantastic things about Fraser. And when you meet him, you could see why. We got him at the deadline and he was part of the team immediately. His teammates embraced him. He embraced us. There’s things in his game that he’s got to get better at and he takes ownership in it. This summer, he’s put the work in and gotten himself into a real good spot here. That’s part of it. Now it’s time to execute.”
The thing that stands out in Minten’s game is not any one skill such as speed or shot but rather his overall headiness and attention to detail, things that have allowed him to see some NHL experience at a young age.
“That’s a big part of my game,” said Minten, who has added 10 pounds to his 6-foot-2 frame. “I’m probably not scoring 30 goals, 30 assists in my rookie year in the NHL. So it’s about being a guy being the first back on the backcheck, you’re stopping and getting inside, all the details that go into it. Faceoffs, penalty kill. That’s always been something I’ve been good at taken pride in, so I’ll continue to put emphasis on that.”
Mougenel believes those details will “protect him” as he rises in his career and expects any coach to gravitate to his game because of it. On the other hand, he wouldn’t mind seeing him push the envelope offensively just a little bit more.
“We need him to take a little more polish to his game and not necessarily cheat for offense but embrace those opportunities when they present themselves,” said Mougenel.
While many people anticipate Minten making the team out of camp, the player is taking a more measured approach.
“There’s a lot of emphasis on making it on Day One,” said Minten. “The media puts a lot of emphasis on if you make it or don’t make it. As a young guy, I think it’s important to have a good process and eventually you’re time will come when you’re ready. And if not, you just keep working. You’ve got lots of years and time ahead.”…
The B’s rookies will face their Penguin counterparts at 3:30 pm on Friday and the Devils at noon on Sunday. Games can be viewed on bostonbruins.com.
