Molendyk and Minten ready to live out dream on World Junior stage
Let’s set the scene. It’s Boxing Day, you’ve opened all your Christmas gifts, and you’re surrounded by family and friends for the holidays. For many Canadians, all that’s left is to gather around the television and watch Team Canada begin their quest for gold at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships.
It was a tradition in Saskatoon Blades defenceman Tanner Molendyk and forward Fraser Minten’s homes growing up. At the 2024 tournament in Gothenburg, Sweden this year, both men won’t be watching from the comfort of their home, but be giving it their all on the ice to bring home gold for Canada.
“Other than the Stanley Cup playoffs and the Olympics, it’s probably one of the coolest tournaments you can play in as a hockey player,” said Minten.
“Not everyone gets the opportunity to play for Team Canada and represent their country at the World Juniors,” said Molendyk, “You watch that tournament every year growing up and I think it’s super special.”
The Saskatoon Blades host the Calgary Hitmen at Sask Tel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, October 14, 2023
It’s not the first time Molendyk has represented Canada on an international stage. The Nashville Predators prospect dawned his country’s colours at the 2021 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Team Canada Black. Molendyk says previous experience with Hockey Canada doesn’t provide him with any level of edge heading into the fan-favourite tournament.
“I think I have to go there, put my best foot forward, show them what I can do, and just give it my best.”
For Minten, this will be his first taste of hockey on an international stage. The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect says he’s ready to seize the opportunity in a year already filled with many milestones.
“It’s a goal of mine and been a dream of mine for a few years to get a chance to play there,” said Minten. “In Canada it’s such a big deal. There’s so many families that watch it over Christmas and I know it’s my favourite thing about Christmas.
The Saskatoon Blades vs. the Red Deer Rebels at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, December 08, 2023
Minten cracked the Leafs opening night roster for the 2023-24 season after being selected in the second round, 38th overall by the organization at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-2 center was acquired from the Blades on Nov. 24th in a blockbuster deal sending 2005-born forward Jordan Keller and three WHL Prospects Draft picks to the Kamloops Blazers.
“I don’t think I’ve slept in one bed for more than 10 days here,” said Minten when arriving to Saskatoon, “It’s pursuing the dream of being a professional hockey player and getting traded to a really good team here in Saskatoon is exciting.
The last Blade to represent Team Canada at the World Juniors was Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach, who was already with the Chicago Blackhawks at the time of the tournament. Molendyk says it’s special to be able to share this moment with a fellow teammate.
“It’ll be a lot of fun going with him, Fraser is an unbelievable guy.”
It’s been a hectic 12 months for the Molendyk who leads Blades defencemen in points this season with 27 (4G, 23A) in 23 games. The McBride, BC product suited up in the CHL Top Prospects game in January and recorded an assist which helped Team Canada White to a 4-1 victory against Team Canada Red. The 18-year-old blueliner was drafted 24th overall by the Nashville Predators in June, and signed his entry-level contract a couple weeks later.
Both men have helped position Saskatoon as one of the top teams in the CHL with a 22-8-1-0 record. Despite their absence over the next month, the Blades still boast loads of firepower and continue to remain at the top of the WHL.
