Easton Cowan

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]

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.

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]

Bold indicates led league