We Now Know Why Fraser Minten Is The First Maple Leafs Prospect To Become Team Canada's Captain In 39 Years

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Tyler Ball
December 25, 2023 (6:25 PM)

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Last night Team Canada announced their captains for the World Junior Championships. Their leadership group is headed by a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect. Along with the announcement we also know why he was selected.

Maple Leafs Prospect Becomes Team Canada's Captain

When the captains were announced for the World Juniors last night for Canada it became a special occasion for Maple Leafs fans. This is because Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten was named the captain of the team.

After the announcement was made Minten was asked what it means to him and he was truly honored.

"It means a lot, it's a very awesome Christmas present," he told TSN's Mark Masters on Sunday.

Minten was told he would be captain of Canada from a captain he and Maple Leafs fans know well John Tavares along with Tavares' two kids.

"They Facetimed the whole team," Minten explained to Masters. "It was pretty cool. I haven't seen him a bunch since I left his house there. But I was pretty close with him and his boys when I was there.

Of course, Tavares and Minten got to know each other well when Minten stayed with Tavares during his extended look with the Maple Leafs. We also were able to find out what led Minten to become the first Maple Leafs captain for Canada in almost 40 years.

We Now Know Why Minten Will Be The First Leafs Captain Of Canada In 39 Years

With the announcement being made many media and fans have wondered what made Fraser Minten stand out from the rest. Luckily the media was able to ask Canada's head coach Alan Letang that very question.

"I feel like he's an extension of the message we want," Team Canada head coach Alan Letang said of naming Minten captain. "He does everything on the ice the right way."

Minten approaches the game with a 200-foot mindset and plays hard in all areas of the game. He will look to provide leadership and experience to a Canadian team without a lot of previous World Juniors experience.

Canada begins their tournament campaign with a huge matchup against Finland at 8:30 am Eastern.

As Read On - The Hockey News - 'He Does Everything On The Ice The Right Way' Why Fraser Minten Became First Maple Leafs Prospect in 39 Years to Captain Canada's World Junior Team, Found Out When John Tavares FaceTimed Group