Easton Cowan

Easton Cowan
Born (2005-05-20) May 20, 2005 (age 19)
Strathroy, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team		 Toronto Maple Leafs
London Knights (OHL)
NHL draft 28th overall, 2023
Toronto Maple Leafs

Easton Cowan (born May 20, 2005) is a Canadian junior ice hockey player for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as a prospect for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Cowan was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the first round, 28th overall, of the 2023 NHL entry draft.

Early life

Cowan was born in Strathroy, Ontario but moved to his grandparents' farm in the nearby town of Mount Brydges at age 13. His father, Chris, claims that he was named partially after the Easton hockey stick brand. Former NHL player Darren McCarty is his cousin.[1]

Playing career

Cowan played with his local Strathroy minor ice hockey association before playing AAA with the local Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs until his midget year. He then played junior "B" ice hockey with the Komoka Kings of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) before making his major junior debut with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the 2021–22 season.

In his first full season in the OHL in 2022–23, Cowan showed offensive potential by posting 20 goals and 33 assists for 53 points through 68 regular season games. He increased his scoring pace in the postseason, notching 21 points in 20 appearances to help the Knights reach the J. Ross Robertson Cup finals against the Peterborough Petes. Following defeat by the Petes, Cowan earned recognition for his debut season in earning selection to the Second All-Rookie Team.[2]

In his first season of eligibility, Cowan was selected in the first round, 28th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2023 NHL entry draft.[3] He was signed in the off-season to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Maple Leafs on August 10, 2023.[4]

In the 2023–24 OHL season, Cowan scored a total 96 points in 54 games, including 68 points in 36 straight games to end the season, setting a Knights franchise record for the longest active point streak.[5] This was also the longest point streak in the OHL since 1995. In recognition of his achievements, Cowan received the Red Tilson Trophy as the most valuable player (MVP) of the regular season and was named to the OHL First All-Star Team,[6][7] and was subsequently voted onto the CHL First All-Star Team.[8] He later led the league in playoff scoring with 34 points over 18 games, leading the Knights to a championship following a four-game sweep of the Oshawa Generals. He was additionally given the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as playoff MVP.[9] As OHL champions, the Knights played in the 2024 Memorial Cup, where they reached the championship game but were defeated 4–3 by the host Saginaw Spirit, in a rematch of the teams' semifinal series during the OHL playoffs.[10] Cowan led the tournament in scoring with eight points, as a result winning the Ed Chynoweth Trophy, and was also named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team.[11]

On December 4th, 2024, Cowan tied the OHL point-streak with Doug Gilmour, by getting an assist on a goal by Sam O'Reilly in a 3-0 win against Owen Sound Attack. On December 6th, 2024, Cowan set the OHL point-streak record for 56 straight games by getting a goal in a 5-3 loss against the Oshawa Generals, where he was also injured.

Personal life

Cowan grew up cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs and was particularly fond of star winger Mitch Marner, while Nazem Kadri was his favourite player.[12]

Career statistics

Bold indicates led league

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2021–22 Komoka Kings GOJHL 24 11 23 34 30 — — — — —
2021–22 London Knights OHL 7 1 1 2 2 5 0 2 2 0
2022–23 London Knights OHL 68 20 33 53 47 20 9 12 21 16
2023–24 London Knights OHL 54 34 62 96 64 18 10 24 34 18
OHL totals 129 55 96 151 113 43 19 38 57 34

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2024 Canada WJC 5th 5 1 1 2 2
2025 Canada WJC 5th 5 1 2 3 4
Junior totals 10 2 3 5 6

Awards and honours

Award Year Ref
CHL
First All-Star Team 2024 [8]
Ed Chynoweth Trophy 2024 [11]
Memorial Cup All-Star Team 2024 [11]
OHL
Second All-Rookie Team 2023 [2]
J. Ross Robertson Cup champion 2024 [9]
Red Tilson Trophy 2024 [6]
Wayne Gretzky 99 Award 2024 [9]
First All-Star Team 2024 [7]

References

  1. ^ "How Easton Cowan worked his way from Maple Leafs fan to first-round pick". thestar.ca. June 29, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Seven Knights named to OHL All-Star and All-Rookie teams". chl.ca. June 5, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  3. ^ "Maple Leafs Sign First-round Pick Easton Cowan To Entry-level Contract". NHL.com. August 10, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  4. ^ "Maple Leafs sign first-round pick Easton Cowan to entry-level contract". Sportsnet.ca. August 10, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  5. ^ "Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan ends OHL season on 36-game point streak". Sportsnet.ca. March 24, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Sweetland, Josh (May 2, 2024). "Knights' Cowan awarded Red Tilson Trophy as OHL's Most Outstanding Player". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Sweetland, Josh (May 28, 2024). "OHL Announces 2023-24 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Séguin, Christopher (June 2, 2024). "CHL Announces 2023-24 All-Star and All-Rookie Teams presented by CCM". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Sweetland, Josh (May 15, 2024). "London Knights crowned 2024 OHL Champions". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
  10. ^ Alter, David (June 3, 2024). "Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan and London Knights Fall Short in Heartbreaking Memorial Cup Final to Saginaw Spirit". The Hockey News. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Séguin, Christopher (June 3, 2023). "Spirit win their first-ever CHL championship title by defeating the Knights 4-3 in the final of the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  12. ^ Pankiw, Colton (June 29, 2023). "Leafs 2023 NHL Draft pick Easton Cowan grew up a fan of Mitch Marner". dailyhive.com. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Toronto Maple Leafs first round draft pick
2023 		Succeeded by