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The Toronto Maple Leafs have been getting encouraging signs regarding prospect Fraser Minten going back to last season, when the 2022 second-round pick had an excellent season with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers and performed well in the Memorial Cup. The 19-year-old impressed the club with his performance at training camp, showing two-way responsibility, which earned him a four-game NHL look at the start of the season.
Once he returned to his WHL club, the Blazers named Minten team captain, but days later traded him to the first-place Saskatoon Blades. On Sunday, leading into the 2024 IIHF World Junior in Gothenburg, Sweden, Minten was named captain of Team Canada, an honor communicated to him by Leafs team captain John Tavares.
"It was pretty cool," Minten said. "I haven't seen him a bunch since I left his house there, but got pretty close with him and his boys when I was there, so that was pretty sweet. He's a Canadian hero, obviously, and a great leader and good person as well, and a good friend."
Canada opens the defense of their World Junior title on Boxing Day at 8:30 am vs. Finland.
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The Leafs on the weekend signed the second of their three 2023 draft picks, defenseman Noah Chadwick to a three-year entry-level deal.
The 18-year-old was selected in the sixth round (185th overall) and has 24 points (7 goals, 17 assists) in 30 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL this season (already exceeding his offensive numbers from last year in half the games played).
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Wishing all my followers and readers a very Merry Christmas.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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