Blazers trade captain Fraser Minten to Saskatoon Blades

Kamloops Blazers captain Fraser Minten has been traded to the Saskatoon Blades.

In a significant return, the Blazers get 18 year-old forward Jordan Keller, the son of former Blazer Aaron Keller, who is now the team’s Director of Player Personnel. They also land a pair of first round picks in 2024 and  2025 as well as fourth round pick in 2024.

“Fraser’s character, work ethic, and leadership qualities have made a lasting impact throughout the organization,” Blazers Head Coach and General Manager Shaun Clouston said. “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 came to the Blazers as a 16-year-old and was a second round draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022. He played in four NHL games this fall before being reassigned to the Blazers in late October.

The Vancouver native is also a near lock to make Canada’s World Junior Team this winter with selection camp two weeks away. He’s also coming off a three-point night Wednesday against the Lethbridge Hurricanes that gives him 10 points in seven games this season.

“It’s a little bit unexpected, I heard it was heating up yesterday but didn’t expect it to happen this quick,” Minten told NL Sports, moments after he said goodbye to his Blazers teammates. “I woke up to some messages and got the news here a little bit ago.”

“You’re leaving behind your best friends and the place you called home for four years is no easy task, especially with my brother Bryce here as well. It sucks for sure.”

As a Blazer, Minten put up 150 points (58 goals and 92 assists) in 151 regular season games. He also added 20 points (eight goals and 12 assists) in 27 playoff games.

Thank you, Fraser! pic.twitter.com/pAyAI39X6V

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) November 24, 2023

The Blazers, who traded away a number of draft picks in the Olen Zellweger-Ryan Hofer trade earlier this year, now have a first, a second, and two third round selections in next year’s WHL Prospects Draft. They also have two first round selections in 2025, the other first acquired from the Red Deer Rebels in the Kyle Masters trade.

“It’s a business for sure,” Minten said. “I’m super grateful and had the best four years here ever.”

Keller, a Kamloops native, joins the Blazers coming off a 30 point season (13 goals and 17 assists) in Saskatoon as a 17-year-old. He’s got eight points (five goals and three assists) in 23 games this season.

“Jordan is a smart, skilled hockey player that has passion and commitment to the game,” Clouston added.

“With only one 2005-born forward on our roster, the addition of Jordan gives us a quality player for the next three seasons.”

Keller will become the fourth second generation Blazer to play in Kamloops joining Mike and Matt Needham, Dave and Nick Chyzowski, and Darryl and Dylan Sydor.

“Jordan will get a great chance to reset his season in his hometown where his dad is a big part of the staff, and we hope he has a phenomenal career with Kamloops,” Blades President and General Manager, Colin Priestner, said, in a statement.

“He did everything we ever asked of him and he has all the potential to be a great top-six center for Kamloops over the next few years. You never want to trade a player like him, but realistically, that’s the cost of adding a World Junior calibre player like Fraser.”

Keller could make his Blazer debut as early as tonight when the Kamloops Blazers host the Vancouver Giants at Sandman Centre.