Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten took a major step in his recovery as he took part in his first set of practices with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies this week.
When speaking with Todd Crocker after Marlies practice on Thursday, Minten acknowledged that he will need to get some more on-ice reps in before getting the green light to return to play but he couldn’t hide his enthusiasm for getting to skate with his teammates for the first time in weeks.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “It’s hard being in between and not being a part of a team there when you’re out of the lineup and can’t play. So it’s super fun to be around guys and in practices with not just yourself and skills coaches.”
Minten has been out since September with a high-ankle sprain he suffered during the second game of the 2024 Prospect Showdown. 2023 fifth-overall pick David Reinbacher sent him feet-first into the boards with a hit that resulted in Minten getting up gingerly and skating to the bench before it was announced he would not return from the game. He was activated off injured reserve on Tuesday and was subsequently assigned to the Marlies, signalling he was getting close to returning to action.
He spoke on how the recovery process went, which involved a lot of one-on-one sessions with the ‘return-to-play’ staff as well as straightforward workouts in the gym and on the ice. While things have gone smoothly based on the timeline he was given, Minten admitted that it has not been easy from an emotional standpoint.
“It’s tough, and especially with being in like a new place and first time into pro hockey,” he said. “Just trying to get your bearings on everything and then being kind of left out because of the injury makes it a little harder. But that makes it even better to come back.”
Being on the ice with his Marlies teammates no doubt made the hard work to recover from his high-ankle sprain all worth it and his excitement was palpable to everyone on the team. That included Marlies coach John Gruden, who has gotten to know Minten well over the past few years at various prospect tournaments and can count on the 20-year-old to bring a contagious smile regardless of how things are going.
Gruden is eager to get our #2 ranked prospect into game action because he knows Minten can be a dependable forward who does a bit of everything and gives an honest effort on a nightly basis.
It seems like forever ago since we were in Montreal for the prospects,” he said. “Unfortunately he got that injury, but it’s also very nice to see him on the ice. He’s a player that’s younger who’s got a tremendous upside and who plays the right way. He’ll come in and just help us push everyone and it’ll get a little energy to the older guys as well. So it’s exciting to see him back out there.”
The Marlies only have one game scheduled this week against the Cleveland Monsters on Saturday night. Minten is highly unlikely to play in that contest, with a more probably target date for his return being one of the two games against the Charlotte Checkers next weekend.
Minten’s goal for the next little bit is to continue to work his way back up to game speed with contact and different game situations at practice this week before getting the clearance to play. What won’t take too much time is getting accustomed to his teammates since he is familiar with a good chunk of them already.
“It’s been great. We had a team Halloween party yesterday, so it’s pretty perfect timing to come back and hang out with everybody away from the rink,” he said. “Everyone’s really welcoming. A lot of guys who have been here for two, three years now. They’re all comfortable here and happy to talk and lend a helping hand and just be good teammates.”
