Fraser Minten looked ready to contribute at the NHL level during his season debut for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. It also served as Minten’s AHL debut, after he spent the majority of the 2023-24 campaign in major junior.

Minten suffered a high-ankle sprain in September which kept him out of action to begin the 2024-25 campaign and returned to skating alongside the Maple Leafs’ developmental staff on October 17. The 20-year-old missed training camp but worked his way back into full form, and recorded an assist in the Marlies’ 4-3 win over the Charlotte Checkers on Saturday.

For his efforts, Minten was awarded the team’s belt, which goes to the best or most impactful player.

Minten made the Maple Leafs’ opening night roster after an excellent training camp last season but he was returned to the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers after four NHL games. He was subsequently traded from Kamloops to the Saskatoon Blades, and he captained Canada’s World Juniors team, recording a goal and three points during the tournament. Canada lost in the quarterfinals to Czechia.

“Very fun,” Minten said post-game when asked about his season debut. “It was a long time sitting on the sidelines since basically May, right? It was probably the longest I’ve gone without playing a game other than that one in Montreal. It feels like a long time ago, so it was very fun.”

Here is where Minten recorded his first AHL assist, working in combination with Alex Nylander to set up Logan Shaw’s power play goal in the first period.

Minten primarily centred a line featuring Nikita Grebenkin — one of the early training camp standouts and a rapid riser in the Maple Leafs’ organization — and Alex Steeves, who recorded two goals, including the game-winner on the power play.

It was a strong debut for Minten, who is one of the future pillars of the Maple Leafs organization, and he could potentially receive a call-up to the NHL in the near future if he continues to excel at the AHL level.