The Western Michigan standout brings gritty versatility and high-level playmaking to New York, positioning himself as a vital middle-six component for the Islanders’ future offensive core.
Bobby Cowan, the 197th ranked North American Skater by NHL Central Scouting, was taken right around his projected place at 205th Overall. The rising Sophomore at Western Michigan did well during his first college campaign. He earned 24 points (5 goals + 19 assists) and 25 penalty minutes across 39 games. with those assists and penalty minute totals finishing third among his Bronco teammates.
Cowan's former USHL Coach and NHL Alum David Wilkie had high praise for his old player.
"Cowan can score and competes with a high hockey," said Wilkie. "He plays for a university that produces pros and has all the components of a player that can play at the highest level."
This type of versatility will be invaluable to a burgeoning Islander team in the midst of their rebuild. Cowan doesn't need to be ready right away, as New York has a number of good forwards in their pipeline. That further works to Cowan's benefit as Western Michigan had a number of important players move on at the end of last season, likely giving him increased responsibility and ice time.
A few years down the road, I can envision Cowan on a middle six line with Notre Dame's Danny Nelson and Boston University's Kamil Bednarik. With his talent and work ethic, Cowan could carve out a nice role for himself in the NHL
