Toronto Maple Leafs forward Fraser Minten scored his first career NHL goal during Wednesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights, a moment he won’t forget anytime soon.
Minten was called up Tuesday, after David Kampf was placed on-term injured reserve. Max Pacioretty was subsequently placed on long-term injured reserve and the Maple Leafs used the cap room to call up Minten.
The 20-year-old converted on a beautiful feed from William Nylander to open the scoring. After the goal, Matthew Knies retrieved the puck for the clearly elated Minten. It’s also Minten’s first point of his NHL career.
Here is a video of Minten’s first goal:
FRASER MINTEN 🚨 FIRST NHL GOAL pic.twitter.com/XbVqRbzdWR
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) November 21, 2024
Minten made the Maple Leafs’ opening night roster last season after an impressive training camp but was returned to major junior after four NHL games. Toronto’s second-ranked prospect suffered a high ankle sprain during the prospects tournament on September 15 and worked his way back from injury with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Minten recorded two goals and four points in five games with the Marlies prior to Tuesday’s call up.
It’s an eventful night for several Maple Leafs due to a wave of injuries among the forwards and Nikita Grebenkin is also making his NHL debut Wednesday on a line with Minten and Nick Robertson. In some ways, it’s a preview of what the future holds for the Maple Leafs, as their young prospect pool is now getting meaningful NHL reps in the absence of several roster regulars.
*smiles* pic.twitter.com/f9x8LUzH9I
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) November 21, 2024
Minten was selected 38th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft for the Maple Leafs and projects to be a defensively responsible centre with some secondary scoring touch. He won’t be counted upon to be a major offensive piece this early in his career, but it’s clear he can generate some offence when needed, and he’ll certainly remember this moment.
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