Leafs Rookie Easton Cowan Wants to Bring a New Type of Toughness to Toronto
Easton Cowan is not only looking to make the Leafs out of training camp, but to bring a new type of toughness to the organization.
Growing up on a farm just outside of London, Ontario, Easton Cowan's steep rise to being the Leafs' top prospect shouldn't come as a surprise. It certainly hasn't to his family or himself, thanks to the work ethic that the farm instilled.
This week, Cowan discussed what he hopes to bring with him to camp, embracing the pressures of playing in Toronto and the player whom he tries to emulate the most, among other topics during his discussion with The Athletic's Joshua Kloke. He says he plans to improvise as much as he needs to in order to make the team, which he knows will be a challenge.
Playing in a market like Toronto, mental toughness is something that is a necessity given how volatile fans and the media can be at times and it's something Cowan has a lot of thanks to the farm and playing in the junior hockey hotbed that is London, although the doubt cast on him after being drafted by the Leafs took a toll on him initially as he deleted his 'X' account - something he says he regrets.
Cowan is looking to bring a new intensity to the Leafs, but it may also have a bit of a familiar flavour, as he has tried to emulate fellow former London Knight and ex-Maple Leaf Nazem Kadri.
Kadri's "jam" is what unfortunately led to the ending of his tenure in Toronto, but as long as Cowan can keep his emotions in check, he could become a vital piece, helping the Leafs end their long-standing Stanley Cup drought.
Training camp is set to kick off on Wednesday with player medicals as Cowan returns with the rest of the prospects from Montreal, where he had an decent showing in two games against the Montreal Canadiens prospects.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 17 | 1155 ANSWERS Leafs Rookie Easton Cowan Wants to Bring a New Type of Toughness to Toronto How many games will Cowan play for the Leafs this season? | ||
| 9 or less | 304 | 26.3 % |
| 10-20 | 309 | 26.8 % |
| 21-40 | 266 | 23 % |
| 41+ | 276 | 23.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
