Fraser Minten Reflects on Junior Glory, Pro Lessons and a Whirlwind Season

By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X

Fraser Minten’s path to professional hockey has been anything but ordinary. The former Kamloops Blazers captain and current Boston Bruins forward has lived a hockey life packed with movement, memories, and milestones—and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

In a season that saw him play in Toronto, Kamloops, Saskatoon, and represent Canada at the World Juniors, Minten still finds time to reflect on where it all started. We caught up recently to talk about his formative years in the WHL, his “welcome to the NHL” moments, and what it’s been like to chase the dream through one of the busiest seasons of his life.

When Minten looks back at his time in Kamloops, it’s not just the big goals or playoff runs that come to mind. “I think the friendships, honestly,” he said. “That’s probably the biggest part of it for me—being around the same group every day. I had a really close-knit crew, and some of those guys are still my best friends.”
Minten tallied 58 goals and 92 assists during his four and a half seasons with the Blazers and was named captain during the 2023-24 campaign.

Still, the hockey memories run deep, especially the heated playoff battles against the Seattle Thunderbirds. “Those rounds against Seattle, those couple of years really stick out—big-time memories,” he said.

While the 2022–23 Memorial Cup year was historic for the Blazers, it’s the season before that, Minten’s draft year, that stands out most in his mind. “We weren’t exactly underdogs, but we weren’t expected to go that far either,” he recalled. “That was my draft year, my 17-year-old season, my first full year in junior hockey. We went deep, played huge games. Those are games I’ll never forget.”

That 2021–22 squad, led by the likes of Logan Stankoven and supported by a deep core group, exceeded expectations—and Minten was a major part of it, scoring 20 goals and adding over 50 points. “We didn’t make any massive trades or big moves at the deadline,” Minten said. “We had a strong core that was built up through the Blazers’ draft and development system. It just felt like a real team.”

When asked about the most difficult opponent he faced in junior, Minten didn’t hesitate. “Probably someone from Seattle,” he said. “They were stacked. We always had battles with them, and they were usually the team that knocked us out. Jared Davidson was unreal. Korchinski too. Not always the flashiest, but those guys were consistent and just kept producing.”

Minten was traded mid-season—an expected but still surprising move as Kamloops pivoted in a new direction.“I was open to it, sure. I get how the game works, but it’s not like I was expecting it,” Minten said. “You start reading between the lines, though. As a player, you kind of have to.”

With core players unexpectedly sticking in the AHL and Kamloops’ roster thinning out, the writing was on the wall. Minten eventually landed in Saskatoon for a playoff run. “It became easier to see what might happen and for the team to recoup some value,” he said.

Minten’s jump to the NHL has been full of surreal moments—none bigger than his first NHL goal. “It was against Tampa, which made it even better,” he said with a grin. “It was my first game of the year, and I was just trying to settle in and feel comfortable. To get one in that situation—yeah, that was special.”

When asked about role models on the Leafs roster, he praised veterans like John Tavares and Morgan Rielly. “They really took me under their wing. Unbelievable role models,” Minten said. “Honestly, there wasn’t one guy I didn’t look up to. I tried to learn from all of them.”

For Minten, his “welcome to the NHL” moment wasn’t just one big play or fight—it was the lifestyle. “Just seeing how you’re treated, the lifestyle, everything from team flights to hotels to playing in front of 20,000 fans,” he said. “It’s the whole thing that hits you. That’s when it really sinks in: ‘Wow, this is the NHL.’”

Even with a packed pro schedule, Minten made time to follow his old team from afar, watching his younger brother Bryce and friends play. “Yeah, definitely. I kept up with how Emmitt [Finnie] and Harrison [Brunicke] were doing—those are my guys,” he said. “It was cool to see them take on bigger roles. I was always checking in and watching when I could.”

After all the travel, trades, and transitions, Fraser Minten still carries the spirit of Kamloops with him, and as he continues carving out his place in pro hockey, it’s clear the bonds and battles of the WHL will remain close to his heart.