Toronto Maple Leafs top draft pick Fraser Minten was forced to leave Sunday’s Prospect Showdown game in Montreal early after going down hard in the corner.

Minten, 20, was retrieving the puck in Montreal’s corner midway through the second period and curling up the wall when Canadiens defenceman David Reinbacher made contact with him across the back, sending him down hard.

The 38th-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft was slow to get up, eventually making his way to the Leafs bench. He did not return before the period was over and it was eventually announced during the broadcast that he was being kept out for precautionary reasons.

The Maple Leafs prospects went on to defeat Montreal 5-4 on Sunday, with fellow top prospect Easton Cowan ripping the winner through the goalie on a power play late in the game.

Minten had a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 4-3 win over Montreal’s prospects, plus another in the shootout to seal the victory.

Fraser Minten, a promising young player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, recently suffered an injury during a prospects game and was forced to exit the game early. The injury occurred during a routine play in the second period, when Minten was hit hard by an opposing player along the boards.

The extent of Minten’s injury has not been disclosed by the team, but he was seen favoring his left leg as he left the ice with the help of trainers. This is certainly a concerning development for both Minten and the Maple Leafs organization, as the young forward was expected to make a strong push for a roster spot this upcoming season.

Minten, who was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft, has shown flashes of brilliance in his time with the team’s development program. His speed, skill, and hockey IQ have impressed coaches and scouts alike, making him a player to watch for in the future.

Injuries are an unfortunate part of sports, and they can be especially devastating for young players like Minten who are trying to make a name for themselves in the NHL. The Maple Leafs will undoubtedly be monitoring Minten’s recovery closely and providing him with the best possible medical care to ensure he can return to the ice as soon as possible.

For now, all we can do is wish Fraser Minten a speedy recovery and hope that he is back on the ice in no time. In the meantime, his teammates and fans will be eagerly awaiting his return and cheering him on from the sidelines.