Blazers forward Fraser Minten on the verge of cracking Maple Leafs ...

Kamloops Blazers forward Fraser Minten continues to impress during preseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 19-year-old Vancouver native slotted in a third-line centre in Thursday evening’s pre-season game against the Detroit Red Wings.

Minten has only two options where he can play this season. He’ll have to stick it out with Leafs in the NHL or suit up for the Kamloops Blazers for his 19-year-old WHL season.

“I don’t really feel any pressure. This is just an amazing opportunity,” Minten told reporters in a morning media session.

“It wasn’t necessarily something I expected coming in to be here at this stage … so I don’t feel like I can lose out there tonight no matter how it goes.”

There is a chance that Minten stays with the Leafs to begin the NHL regular season, which gets underway next Tuesday, Oct. 10. He’ll be able to play in up to nine regular season games before the first year of his NHL entry-level contract would kick in.

“He’s wise beyond his years,” Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe, said. “He’s played very well and that’s why we are giving him an opportunity tonight.”

“We like a lot of what we see from him. He’s been a surprise to some. We knew what we had with him but his development from one training camp to this one has been nothing short of remarkable.”

Minten was a second round selection by the Maple Leafs in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, 38th overall. He played in just one pre-season game last year before being returned to the Blazers.

So far through four NHL exhibition games, Minten has a goal and three assists to his name.

Mints getting rave reviews in TO! ???? pic.twitter.com/aiQ6KtlyOS

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) October 2, 2023

Speaking on NL Mornings this week, Blazers Head Coach and General Manager Shaun Clouston said he was not surprised to see how well Minten was doing.

“I think there is still a chance he’s back [with Kamloops] but its great to see just how well he’s playing,” Clouston said. “I mean we’re a developmental hockey league and we want to see players develop here and move on to the pro ranks.”

Should Minten get sent back, he’ll likely assume first-line centre duties with the Blazers, and be one of the team’s top offensive contributors.

“He’s definitely making an impression and I don’t want to take anything away from Fraser,” Clouston added. “Obviously, he’s playing extremely well and that is not surprising. He’s a very hard working, very intelligent hockey player and he’s making the best of his opportunity.”

– With files from Victor Kaisar