Fraser Minten plays his first game in a Blazers uniform this season on Friday night vs. Winnipeg (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

BLAZERS ICE

Minten returns as Blazers take on No. 1-ranked Winnipeg Ice

Oct 21, 2022 | 4:24 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Winnipeg Ice have been road warriors.

They come into Kamloops for their 11th straight road game to start the season. They’re 9-1 during that stretch, winning their first three on this five-game stretch of the B.C. portion of this trip.

With such a hot start, they’re the nation’s No. 1-ranked team.

“They’re one of the best teams in the league obviously, in the whole CHL,” said Blazers forward Logan Stankoven. They have a good returning core from last year’s team, which they were pretty successful, losing to Edmonton in the Eastern Conference Final. We’ve got to watch out for some of the top players like [Matthew] Savoie, [Connor] McClennan, [Owen] Pederson, [Zach] Benson and [Conor] Geekie. I could go on and on. They’re a really deep team and it’s going to be a good challenge for our group.”

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Blazers fans get to see the Ice for the first time since they moved from Kootenay to Winnipeg before the 2019 season.

They’re get to watch the likes of Matthew Savoie, Buffalo’s ninth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. He has 10 points in only six games played this season for Winnipeg.

There are also players like Conor Geekie and Owen Pederson, who leads the ice in scoring and is sixth in the WHL with five goals and nine assists.

“It’ll be a good game against each other. Obviously we only play each other once a year, but two really good teams going at it,” said Stankoven. “Whoever shows up is going to win. Both teams are really deep and have some lethal players. Obviously getty Minty [Fraser Minten] back in our line-up is going to be huge for us.”

Yes, Minten is back after rehabbing a wrist injury suffered while at Toronto Maple Leafs’ camp. He’s been back in town since Sunday and skated all this week with no issues

“Not too worried at all. It wasn’t too bad. It’s just a tough spot to be injured as a hockey player. You use your wrist so much, so had to just take some time off to be sure it wouldn’t linger too long,” he said.

Minten will switch to the wing on a line centred by Logan Stankoven that’ll also feature Connor Levis.

“I think it’s been good. The last couple days we been good. We’ve got a high-tempo line in there. A couple big guys with Stanks, who’s an awesome player at passing, shooting, offensive dynamo. I think we’ll click really well and excited to play together in a game,” noted Minten.

Daylan Kuefler moves down to the second line with Caeden Bankier and Matthew Seminoff.

For anyone not going to the game at the Sandman Centre tonight (Oct. 21), it’s being streamed online on TSN.