Bruins Prospect Fraser Minten Shines with Natural Hat Trick in AHL Debut

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Boston Bruins prospect Fraser Minten made a strong impression on Sunday, showcasing his scoring ability with a natural hat trick during a 4-1 victory for the Providence Bruins over the Springfield Thunderbirds.

The 20-year-old forward, who stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 195 pounds, joined Providence following a trade that sent him from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Brandon Carlo. Minten’s impressive performance came in just his third game with the AHL affiliate.

In a game filled with excitement for Bruins fans, Minten capitalized on assists from teammates Georgii Merkulov, Billy Sweezey, and Fabian Lysell, contributing an additional assist on Providence’s final goal to end the night with four points.

Known for his high-scoring ability, Minten previously netted 31 goals with the Kamloops Blazers in the WHL during the 2022-23 season. So far this season in the AHL, he has registered nine goals and eight assists in 15 games, having originally logged two goals and two assists in his time with Toronto.

Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney, who was instrumental in Minten’s acquisition, compared him to Charlie Coyle, emphasizing at the trade deadline that the Bruins were in need of a strong goal-scoring presence.

“We see a lot of potential in Minten,” Sweeney stated. “His performance today gives us a glimpse of what he can bring to the table.”

As the Bruins gear up for the final stretch of the regular season, they have 14 games remaining to secure a playoff berth. Observers wonder whether Minten will have the opportunity to showcase his talents at the NHL level during this critical juncture.

“The fans should be excited to see what he can do,” Bruins analyst Andy Brickley said. “Each game is an opportunity for him to show that he belongs at the next level.”

Minten’s emergence comes at a crucial time for the team, which has seen a recent flurry of roster adjustments aimed at bolstering their playoff chances. With the team looking to balance immediate results with long-term development, Minten’s success in the AHL may shape his path forward.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if his scoring touch will translate to the NHL in the coming weeks, as Boston seeks to make their playoff push.