Cowan and fellow Maple Leafs prospect Noah Chadwick are participating in Team Canada's World Junior Summer Showcase.

If there's anything Easton Cowan has learned over the last year, it's how to be a leader.

The 19-year-old forward was one of several players and staff with Team Canada who fielded questions from the media on Monday when the World Junior Summer Showcase got underway in Windsor, Ontario.

Cowan, arguably the Maple Leafs' top prospect, has the chance to have a massive year. He's already expressed that one of his goals is to make Toronto's NHL squad this fall.

Another target the forward wants to hit is being one of Team Canada's leaders at the World Juniors later this year.

"I just want to show some leadership. I think I bring a lot of leadership this year. I know last year, we (Team Canada) lost, unfortunately. I won an OHL championship, lost in the [Memorial Cup] final," Cowan told reporters including TSN's Mark Masters. 

"I think I have a lot of stuff under my belt that will help me be a leader this year, be someone that the younger guys can ask, look up to a bit. I'm just really excited to get back here, put on that Canada jersey, whether it's a practice jersey or a game jersey, it's still an unreal feeling."

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2zW7WCvxME[/embed]

Although Cowan had a productive year — earning OHL MVP honors, scoring 34 goals and 62 assists in 54 games with the Knights, and having a historic point streak — his teams failed to reach the height of success.

It was a massive learning experience. One that he won't forget the next time he's in a do-or-die game.

"It's in the back of my mind throughout the summer. Same with the Memorial Cup loss. I hate losing and I love to win, so just having that in the back of my mind when I'm working out just pushes me a bit harder each and every day."

If Cowan also carries that mindset into Maple Leafs training camp in September, there could be plenty of chances for him to make his NHL debut in October, and possibly win World Juniors gold in the new year.

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