Top Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten has been traded from the Kamloops Blazers to the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL.
In return, the Blazers will receive forward Jordan Keller, first-round draft picks in both 2024 and 2025 and a fourth-round draft pick in 2024.
Minten broke camp with the Maple Leafs and appeared in four games before returning to the WHL. He was named captain of the Blazers this season and had 10 points in seven games. He leaves the Blazers having recorded 150 points in 151 games over four seasons.
“Fraser’s character, work ethic and leadership qualities have made a lasting impact throughout the organization in his four seasons with the Kamloops Blazers,” head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston said in a statement. “We have been fortunate to watch Fraser embrace opportunity, challenge himself every day and go after his dream of becoming a professional hockey player. He has been an excellent example to the players and staff with his level of commitment to improvement. He has been a pleasure to coach and we wish him all the best in his hockey career.”
Minten joins a Blades team that is second in the Eastern Conference with a 15-8 record.
“Fraser brings all the elements we’ve been looking for; passion, compete, high skill level, size, Memorial Cup experience, not to mention four games of NHL regular season action with Toronto,” General manager Colin Priestner said in a statement. “Everyone we spoke to over the last month has raved about his character, his desire to win, and the leadership he brought as captain of the Blazers. We targeted him as our number one priority to acquire this year.”