There was a clearer Fraser Minten sighting on Thursday morning.
The 20-year-old centre was on the ice for the morning skate, clad in a grey non-contact sweater as he worked with his Maple Leafs teammates.
It was the first time in his recovery from a high ankle sprain that Minten, who has been skating on his own, joined the main group. Minten was hurt in September during a rookie game in Montreal against the Canadiens, putting a stall on his hopes for a job with the Leafs.
When Minten is ready to play again, the expectation is that he will start with the Toronto Marlies and go from there.
“Getting getting hurt in a rookie game and that early in camp and not being able to participate in the main camp was difficult for him (as a) first-year pro,” Leafs coach Craig Berube said. “Injuries happen and nobody’s happy about it, but you have to deal with it and he has done it in the right way. He’s got a real good head on his shoulders, this guy.
“Great to see him back on the ice. He’s going to be a good player and looking forward to getting him back.”
After making the Leafs out of camp a year ago, Minten played in four games before he was sent back to the Western Hockey League.
In a total of 43 games with the Kamloops Blazers and Saskatoon Blades, Minten, the Leafs second-round pick in 2022, had 48 points (22 goals and 26 assists).
Unlike Minten, there has been no similar sighting of winger Calle Jarnkrok, who is on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Jarnkrok was injured during camp.
“He’s still recovering from his injury and working on it daily,” Berube said. “Hasn’t been on the ice yet.”
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