William Nylander to start training camp at center, while Easton Cowan is ready for what's likely his final game with the Maple Leafs before heading back to the OHL's London Knights. The 18-year-old has done everything he could to impress Toronto's staff, whether it was in the Traverse City Prospects Tournament or in the pre-season. He's likely impressed himself in the process, too. "I had pretty high expectations, but I think this (still being at Leafs training camp) has succeeded them a bit," Cowan said on Friday. "It's been good and (I'm) just learning each and every day and what it takes to be a pro. Obviously, I got room to develop, so take in what I've learned back to junior will be huge for me and it'll show the young guys there what it takes to win and what it takes to be a pro, especially since we do got a good team there in London." There's a great deal of learning that can be had for a prospect who has been around NHL talent for nearly a month. The level of play, their size, or just how much they prepare for games. But what has stood out most to Cowan? "I think just how often they work out during the year," he said. "After games, day before games, I think that caught me by surprise. "I warmed up yesterday and then got scratched so I worked out and I thought that was good. Get out there for warmups, be around the team, and workout and watch the game." The 18-year-old has been in Toronto for a few weeks now, rooming with another prospect who's stood out: Fraser Minten. Cowan calls Minten "a pro," highlighting how good he treats his body and how he loves the game. "He's just a year older than me but I still look up to him and see what he does on and off the ice," Cowan said. "It's huge to be rooming with him." As a hockey player in Toronto, there are endless things to do when you're not at the rink. Cowan says he's done a lot of shopping with Minten while they've been here. They've eaten a lot of Chipotle, too. "(We) walked around, saw the water. We always go to Chipotle together," the 18-year-old said. "Went to the mall, the new Kith store. It was good. Lots of shopping, I guess. Spending the per diem and stuff. *Laughs*" His go-to Chipotle order? "I get a (chicken) burrito. If you ask Fraser, it's nothing special. It's nice and easy. And then usually a Coke on the side." Toronto's final pre-season game is in Detroit, which is close to home for Cowan. Although he's never played in the building, the 18-year-old did watch the Maple Leafs play there when Little Caesars Arena first opened back in 2017. "I just remember watching (Mitch) Marner and (Auston) Matthews," he said. "It was cool to see those guys in person, I think that was my first time watching in person. They've got a ton of skill and just that atmosphere in that arena was loud and lots of goals that game, so it was good." It's fairly likely that Cowan plays on Saturday night, but he remains even-keeled, just hoping to play. If the 18-year-old does get in, it'll be his final hurrah before heading back to London for a very big development year. "I'm looking forward to it if I get in tomorrow." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related John Klingberg Explains Upper-Body Injury, Appears Healthy For Maple Leafs Season Opener Next Week [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/breaking-news/john-klingberg-explains-upper-body-injury-appears-healthy-for-maple-leafs-season-opener-next-week] Ilya Samsonov 'Fine' After Injury Scare During Maple Leafs Practice [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/breaking-news/ilya-samsonov-fine-after-injury-scare-during-maple-leafs-practice] Tyler Bertuzzi's Shot and Other Observations From the Maple Leafs' Pre-Season Win Over Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/game-day/tyler-bertuzzis-shot-and-other-observations-from-the-maple-leafs-pre-season-win-over-red-wings] News from THN.com Five Hockey Team Hype Videos to Watch Over and Over [https://thehockeynews.com/news/five-hockey-team-hype-videos-to-watch-over-and-over] Could Several Atlantic Division Teams Pursue Patrick Kane? [https://thehockeynews.com/news/could-several-atlantic-division-teams-pursue-patrick-kane] NHL's Elite Athleticism Forces Bittersweet Endings for Recently Retired Veterans [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhls-elite-athleticism-forces-bittersweet-endings-for-recently-retired-veterans]
