How Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Went From Controversial First-Round Draft Pick to Winning the OHL's Most Outstanding Player Award

Cowan received 41 percent of votes for the award, voted on by the OHL's accredited media.

Matthews skated with conditioning staff but did not skate with the group for the team's full morning skate session

Easton Cowan has added another award to his resume.

The 18-year-old won the Red Tilson Trophy on Thursday, awarded to the OHL's Most Outstanding Player of the season. It's the first time a London Knights player has won the award since Mitch Marner did so in 2016.

"It's pretty cool to receive this award. Obviously, Marner was someone I looked up to at camp (Maple Leafs training camp) this year. He always talked to me a lot and still texts me to this day, and he'll probably text me again," Cowan said over Zoom on Thursday afternoon.

"I look up to him a lot. Obviously, he's a great hockey player, he played great here (in London), he's playing great in Toronto, and [he's] an even better person. That's someone I look up to for sure and it's pretty cool to now know that my name is in the same category as his."

Cowan finished the regular season with 34 goals and 62 assists for 96 points in 54 games. He was only behind teammate Denver Barkey — who had 102 points in 64 games — for points on the Knights.

The Maple Leafs drafted Cowan in the first round (28th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft after scoring 20 goals and 33 assists in 68 games with London last season.

He impressed so much throughout the summer post-draft — in Toronto's development camp, the Traverse City Prospects Tournament, and training camp — that the Maple Leafs signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract and kept him around until the first day of the regular season on Oct. 11.

"I think just the confidence I had playing in Toronto I think helped me a lot coming back to the OHL and bringing those pro habits back," Cowan said.

"On and off the ice what I learned there, I brought it back for the young guys here, and everyone who was around me, I felt like I was a good leader throughout the whole season, and I still am trying to be."

The most impressive part of Cowan's season came during the back half when he finished the regular season with points in 36 straight games, a new Knights franchise record, and the longest point streak in the OHL since 1995. He also finished the year with a 1.79 points per game, the second-best in the league this season.

"I just think showing up to the rink every day, being consistent, having the same routine, how you tape your sticks, how you prepare for a game or practice, I feel like I really got into a groove there," Cowan said when asked about what he's learned about himself this year.

"Just playing with confidence and being confident in myself, in my game, scoring in practice will translate to the game, so I just feel like I did a good job of being consistent, in the gym or stretching, stuff like that, or on the ice, I feel like I was very consistent and that helped me a lot."

Given how far Cowan made it into Maple Leafs training camp in October, along with how big of a season he's had with the Knights, it's possible this could be his final year in the OHL.

And for someone, who's been with the Maple Leafs, like former assistant GM, and now, Knights Vice President and GM, Mark Hunter, he believes the sky is the limit for Cowan.

“It takes special players to win and have great teams and Easton is exceptional,” said Hunter via the OHL's Director of Communications, Josh Sweetland.

“He has speed skill and will and of all of those his will to win and be better every day is a testament to his work ethic and drive to be a National Hockey League player. He had a great season in London and we’re very proud of him.”