Projected by many to go further in the NHL Draft, the Leafs selected the London Knights forward with 28th overall pick.

Easton Cowan watched a lot of Toronto Maple Leafs hockey growing up.

So it came as little surprise that the London Knight's forward compared his play to a couple of former players.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fsTMCNmRaM[/embed]

"I kind of model my game after Nazem Kadri, "Cowan said. "And then James van Riemsdyk there in front of the net. He's got that JVR play that everyone knows."

The Maple Leafs selected Cowan with their first-round pick (28th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft, surprising many scouts who had him projected to go anywhere between the second and third rounds.

The 18-year-old forward had 20 goals and 33 assists in his first full season with the Knights. He spent the 2021-22 season primarily playing in Jr. B before making the transition to the Knights later in the season.

But what allowed Cowan to rise up the draft projections to become a first-rounder for the Leafs?

"My playoffs kind of helped me," Cowan said. "My teammates really helped me. A little bit of a surprise but obviously really thankful to be drafted by the Leafs."

Cowan had nine goals and 12 assists in 20 playoff games during the 2023 OHL playoffs.

Seen as a solid two-way player who adopts a pass-first mentality, he has a tenacity to his game and his puck-hounding ability has to potential to carry over at the NHL level. 

At 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Cowan wants to add more size and improve his shooting game

"I really want to work on getting bigger, work on my shot," he explained. "You can always work on getting better."

The Leafs like players who come from the Knights. Immediately after being selected, Cowan received a FaceTime call from fellow London alumnus Mitch Marner to welcome him to the team.

"I was in shock," Cowan said of the call.

There was some thought that the Maple Leafs would trade down to collect more picks. But not only did the Leafs not make any trades, there wasn't a single trade by any team once the NHL Draft began.

On Tuesday, Maple Leafs director of amateur scouting Wes Clark identified "intelligence" as a key trait in what they are looking for. He's expected to speak following Day 2 of the draft on Thursday.

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