Leafs sign 18 year old forward Minten

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they've signed 18 year old forward Fraser Minten to a three year, entry-level contract that will begin during the 2023-24 NHL season.

Check it out:

From the Leafs' official press release announcement:

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed forward Fraser Minten to a three-year, entry-level contract. 
 

Minten, 18, recorded 55 points (20 goals, 35 assists) through 67 games with the Kamloops Blazers (WHL) during the 2021-22 season. Minten helped Kamloops to the Western Conference Finals in the 2022 WHL Playoffs where he collected 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 17 games. The Vancouver, BC native has posted 73 points (24 goals, 49 assists) through 87 career WHL games. 
 
Minten attended the Maple Leafs 2022 Development Camp and appeared in one preseason game with the club on Sept. 24, 2022 against the Ottawa Senators. 
 
Minten was selected by Toronto in the second round (38th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft.

- Toronto Maple Leafs

The teenaged forward was selected by the team in the 2nd round, 38th overall, this past summer at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. 

It's also important to note that Minten's contract does not kick in until next season as the team is currently on the hook for the NHL's maximum 50 contracts for the 2022-23 season. Having said that, Minten will be in tough to make the Leafs next season as it is and will likely spend another season in the WHL with the Kamloops Blazers. He won't yet be eligible to join the AHL's Toronto Marlies however, making him a bit a bit of a tweener. An extra year dominating junior hockey likely won't hurt his development though. If and when the kid does break through and make the Leafs though, Leafs fans can expect a solid two-way forward who is equally adept at setting up plays as his is at finishing them. He's a fan favourite in Kamloops due to his hard work ethic and his goal scoring ability. It remains to be seen if he can take his game to the next level, however. Stay tuned.