TORONTO — Inside the Mastercard Centre, just west of Toronto, Michael Rasmussen pauses to sign autographs for a small group of children.



Towering over them, he leans down to add his signature to the posters they’ve taken from the hallway and adopted as their own.



The posters read “NHLPA Rookie Showcase” and they’re already crowded with other signatures. Filip Zadina. Casey Mittelstadt. Miro Heiskanen.



And Michael Rasmussen.



Twenty-four months ago, Rasmussen could have walked off a Toronto-area practice rink in complete anonymity. Today, he’s in the same breath — and on the same rink — as hockey’s best prospects.



A lot has changed since two summers ago, when he was wrapping up preparation for his draft year.



Even as recently as eight months ago, Rasmussen couldn’t shoot a puck. After breaking his wrist in February of his draft year, Rasmussen had fought through lingering...