Rewind to the 2012 NHL trade deadline, as many Toronto Maple Leafs fans remember clearly the team was in the middle of one of the worst collapse in franchise history. It was on the 2012 trade deadline that Toronto made a move that seemed so small that probably no one even remembers it. The Toronto Maple Leafs traded Dale Mitchell to the Anaheim Ducks for Mark Fraser. Of course Toronto fans are familiar with Fraser now as he patrols the Leafs blueline this season and is a key part of a much improved penalty kill.

Mark Fraser had taken the long road to the NHL, the 3rd round draft pick in 2005 to New Jersey after 3 full seasons in the AHL with the Lowell Devils minor league team Fraser had finally made the NHL. Fraser played 61 games for New Jersey in the 2009-10 season and looked to build upon his success the following year.

It turns out the New Jersey Devils and Fraser would both struggle in the 2010-11 season and he was demoted after 26 games. Last season Fraser was traded from New Jersey to Anaheim and played for their AHL affiliate before being traded to Toronto.

No one really took notice of the trade until Fraser arrived with the Toronto Marlies and began impressing teammates, coaches and fans during their remarkable run to the 2012 AHL Calder Cup Finals. Fraser played with a style that Leafs fans had not gotten much of, hard hitting simple gritty game and not afraid to drop the gloves with anyone, even fighting twice a game on occasion.

Standing 6 ft 4 220lbs he is an intimidating presence on the ice and will never be mistaken for a flashy player but he keeps it simple and limits liabilities by always making the safe play. Fraser throws the body around and clears traffic in front of the net, something the Leafs sorely missed last season.

Fraser’s type of game is exactly what Randy Carlyle likes in his lineup and as the season has gone along Fraser has earned more of the coach’s trust and it has resulted in an increase in ice time. He has averaged 19 minutes the last 10 games and has played at least 20 minutes in 3 of his last 4 games.

While on one may have known his name when he was traded to Toronto, you can bet Leafs Nation is taking full notice on him now.