Top Prospect Back on Ice with Maple Leafs Development Team After Recent Setback

Coming into training camp, Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten had high hopes of making the squad coming into the regular season, given his already rapid ascent in junior hockey and earning some pretty high accolades as well. Unfortunately for Minten, an injury suffered during the second leg of the Prospect Showcase vs. the Montreal Canadiens has kept him on the shelf for the time being with no timeline for a return.

So it was a pleasant surprise when Minten was seen skating with the Maple Leafs on Thursday, taking some reps with the development team and getting back into the swing of things:

It's a massive sign of improvement for Minten, as a setback this early in his young career could be devastating mentally for the young forward. Having a cup of coffee with the Maple Leafs in 2023-2024 at the beginning of the year, but didn't register a point and was sent back to Saskatoon to finish the season. Scoring 38 points in 36 games for the Blades, Minten was on a tear and was also anointed captain of Team Canada for the U-20 World Juniors for 2024.

While it may take Minten awhile before he's back in top form, and from the videos above you can see he's still taking his time and not trying to do too much as he rehabs his injury. Ankle injuries are something you can't ignore, especially as a hockey player dependent on the lower half of your body, and having a weak foundation to stand on will lead to him crumbling. The Maple Leafs know what they have in Minten and there's no reason to rush him back, so it's great to see him say "Let me on the ice."

Fraser Minten's ankle injury scared a lot of Maple Leafs coaches, players, and fans because it felt like Groundhog Day where Leafs fans finally have something hopeful to look for, only for it to come crashing down. His return to the ice signaled hope; something Maple Leafs fans need after so much disappointment.