Easton Cowan has done everything you can hope to accomplish in the CHL with the London Knights, but now the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect will look to replicate his success as he makes the move to the pros.
Many Knights players have graduated to the NHL and gone on to have successful careers in part because of the preparation by head coach Dale Hunter.
Speaking Wednesday to Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning on The Fan Morning Show, Hunter is convinced that Cowan has what it takes to be in the mix to start the season with the Leafs.
“He’s going to push to make the team and play well for the Leafs,” Hunter said about Cowan. “Every organization needs young guys pushing to make the team, and it will make the Leafs better. And he’s going to make it. So, that’s a good thing for the Leafs.”
The 20-year-old had a strong finish to his time in the OHL with the Knights, helping the team capture its third Memorial Cup. He was named tournament MVP after registering three goals and adding four assists.
He was also second all-time in playoff points (96) in the OHL, and was named the playoff MVP in 2024 and 2025.
The Leafs selected Cowan in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, 28th overall, and will look to see what he can do in his third training camp with the club. For most prospects, making the jump to the NHL is tough, but Hunter believes that the challenge is getting through the schedule demands that the league brings.
“It’s the best league in the world, and you’ve got to be physically ready for it because there are big guys in the National Hockey League,” Hunter said. “It’s 80-plus games and it’s a grind in there, and you just got to be ready every night to perform, be consistent, and that’s what the NHL guys are looking for.”
-
NHL on Sportsnet
Livestream Hockey Night in Canada, Scotiabank Wednesday Night Hockey, the Oilers, Flames, Canucks, out-of-market matchups, the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the NHL Draft.
Cowan’s arrival also comes with the departure of another former Knights player in Mitch Marner, who joined the Vegas Golden Knights in the off-season.
Marner is still looking to find playoff success, something he was able to do with Hunter in London, and his former coach believes he still has that ability in him.
“It was a pleasure to coach him because he wants to win and can play at both ends of the puck by killing penalties, play on the power play and at five-on-five,” Hunter explained. “When I had him here, he was very good, and he’s had a good career so far. He definitely wanted more playoff success with the Leafs. He’s moved on now, and that’s just part of the business.”
