Fraser Minten, Easton Cowan named to Canada’s 2024 world junior team

Hockey Canada has announced its roster for the 2024 World Junior Championship, with Toronto Maple Leafs prospects Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan set to make the trip to play in Sweden from Dec. 26 – Jan. 5.

Minten is one of four players on the roster with NHL experience, having played four games with the Maple Leafs at the start of the 2023-24 season.

Minten didn’t participate in either of the two exhibition games against the Canadian university all-stars, instead sitting out with other locks such as Denton Mateychuk, Matthew Savoie and Maveric Lamoureux, among others.

This will be Minten’s first time representing Canada in an international competition. Drafted 38th overall back in 2022, Minten quickly saw his stock rise after a solid regular season with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers last year. He struggled in the playoffs and had a quiet showing at the Memorial Cup, but he entered Leafs’ development camp as one of the most improved forwards.

Minten was sent back down to the WHL after his initial NHL stint this year, scoring three goals and 10 points in seven games as Kamloops’ captain. Minten was recently traded to the Saskatoon Blades last month, scoring two goals and five points in six games before joining Canada’s camp in Oakville.

Cowan, 18, will also don the red maple leaf for the first time in his career. Drafted 28th overall by Toronto in 2023, Cowan entered camp with 12 goals and 39 points in 23 games with the OHL’s London Knights. He’s on pace for over 100 points, a big step up from his 53-point effort last year – his first full year in the OHL.

Cowan played in both exhibition contests with Canada, starting as the 13th forward before playing on the second line on Wednesday. He skated alongside a wide variety of players, including top 2024 NHL Draft prospect Macklin Celebrini.

Canada will kick off their pretournament action with a 1:00 PM ET start against Denmark on Dec. 19. They’ll play Sweden on Dec. 22 at 9:00 AM ET before wrapping things up against the United States on Dec. 23. Canada will begin Group A play against the Finns on Dec. 26 in hopes of winning gold for the third consecutive year.