Mitch Marner Reveals Advice He Gave Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Before Returning to the OHL
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner has revealed what he told top prospect Easton Cowan before he returned to OHL's London Knights.
As training camp wound down over the weekend, the Toronto Maple Leafs' front office was left with quite the tough decision to make regarding their top prospect, Easton Cowan.
Cowan looked quite strong during last year's pre-season for the Maple Leafs and showed that he's close to being ready for a role on the NHL roster. However, after a bit of a vanilla pre-season performance this fall and after much deliberation, the Maple Leafs decided to send Cowan back to the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League.
Being cut from training camp when you're close to making an opening night NHL roster is never easy, but you need to use it as motivation for the season ahead and that's exactly what Cowan will do in London as they look to make a deep run in the OHL Playoffs and potentially, win their second consecutive championship.
Cowan has revealed that he and Mitch Marner became close during training camp and the pre-season this year, which must have been very cool for the 19-year-old winger, who has grown up idolizing Marner.
Luke Fox of Sportsnet spoke with Marner recently, who shared what advice that he gave Cowan before the rookie winger left Toronto to head back to the London Knights.
Marner said he told Cowan to go back to London and "do your thing", but enjoy yourself and have fun at the same time. He went on to add that Cowan was understandably disappointed by not making the Maple Leafs' opening night roster, but he has a great opportunity ahead of him this year.
"I was talking to him a little bit about falling a little short and how disappointed he was and stuff like that. Another great opportunity to go back there and try to do it again. You can only get better and learn more things, especially under the Hunters."
Cowan, a native of Mount Brydges, Ontario, is set for a big year in the OHL and it wouldn't surprise anyone if when all is said and done, he'll lead the league in points and potentially earn MVP honours once again. He'll also have a big opportunity upcoming at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship with Team Canada and should play a significant role as a returning player.
