Prospect Minten impresses at first camp

First-round draft pick shows maturity beyond his age, but will likely return to juniors

It might have been a bit of a surprise that 18-year-old Fraser Minten remained in training camp with the Maple Leafs on Monday. Junior players often only get to stay the first few days.

But Minten was only too happy to continue working in his first NHL camp even though his Kamloops Blazers have already started their season.

“I want to stay as long as I can,” said Minten.

The young forward was the Leafs’ first pick, 38th overall, in the summer draft and has impressed the brass and teammates with a maturity and self-confidence that belies his youth.

“He’s just really soaking it all in,” said Leafs captain John Tavares, “and obviously a very heady player, smart. Just a joy to be around … I got to be with him a couple of times in the summertime. After development camp he stayed in town for a little bit. Great kid. I think we got a good one in him.”

On the ice, he seems to have the right mix of speed, creativity and hockey sense.

“He has a lot happening with his game,” said Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe. “He’s extremely competitive and doesn’t mind getting involved in the physical part of the game. Very smart positionally … He’s a worker. Asks good questions.

“He’s just got a maturity to his game that you don’t find often coming fresh out of the draft, especially when you get out of the top half of the first round … I’ve been extremely impressed with him.”

Minten, who scored 20 goals in the Western Hockey League last season, is the youngest player in camp and admits he was a bit nervous when he put on a Leafs game jersey for the first time — in the opener of Saturday’s exhibition doubleheader against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena.

“It was amazing,” said Minten. “The building was way better than I expected it to be and there was a bunch of fans. So, it felt like a huge step up from junior, and exactly what I hoped it would feel like.

“Getting to play that game against the top NHL players that the Sens had in the lineup was awesome. I learned a lot and am really grateful for these opportunities.”

He had two shots on goal and ended up plus-four on Saturday. Playing on a team starring Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner can be intimidating, and Minten said it was a bit overwhelming at first: “Definitely a little bit. It kind of fades away, though, each day you get on the ice with these guys. But first time seeing Marner, Matthews, it definitely it feels like you’re a little out of place.”

The veterans welcomed him to the fold, with Tavares leading the way as he does each fall with the newcomers.

“I just ask them how they’re doing, how they’re enjoying it, what’s it like, what’s their experience,” said Tavares. “Maybe there’s something I can share from when I was younger and going through it, or the things that I remember that I was feeling. It’s funny to share and compare.”

While the Leafs have jobs available, Minten is unlikely to earn one. His immediate future will be back with a strong Kamloops team, and maybe Canada’s world junior entry. He’ll leave camp having learned a lot.

“There’s a ton of things. But in general, how much more (it will take) to be consistent and produce in this league,” said Minten. “There’s not much space out there. Everyone is super smart, super strong.”

As for what he expects of himself: “At both ends of the ice, I should be one of the best players on the ice on each shift. So that’s my goal.”