Easton Cowan named 1st star as London Knights remain unbeaten at Memorial Cup

Easton Cowan was named the first star of the game, as the London Knights defeated the Rimouski Oceanic 3-1, moving to 2-0 in the round-robin stage of the 2025 Memorial Cup.

Cowan registered an empty-net goal and an assist during Sunday’s win. The 20-year-old’s offensive ability was on full display once again, setting up Jacob Julien’s goal off the rush, setting up a tic-tac-toe play with Kasper Halttunen. Cowan previously registered two assists in the Knights’ 3-2 overtime victory over the Moncton Wildcats.

“It’s pretty cool. I like it. Everybody is giving me thumbs down, boos. It is what it is, we won, that’s all that matters,” Cowan said of the boos he received from the host Rimouski crowd.

Cowan is the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top-ranked prospect and he’s looking to lead the Knights to their first Memorial Cup victory since 2016. Earlier this spring, Cowan broke the Knights’ all-time playoff scoring record.

Last season, Cowan and the Knights lost to the Saginaw Spirit in the 2024 Memorial Cup Final. London will conclude its round-robin schedule against the Medicine Hat Tigers. Medicine Hat is led by 2026 presumptive first overall pick Gavin McKenna, an offensive superstar who recorded 41 goals and 129 points in 56 WHL regular season games.

“It means a lot just to have that opportunity again,” Cowan said to TSN’s Mark Masters prior to the tournament. “Most of us thought about it all summer when we were training. It kind of to pushes you a bit more.”

Cowan will be afforded a real chance to make the Maple Leafs’ roster next fall and capping off his decorated major junior career with a Memorial Cup would be a fitting end to his tenure with the Knights, on a team with 13 returnees from last season. He’s on another torrid run after scoring 16 goals and 39 points in 24 playoff games, and the Knights will get a rest day before playing Medicine Hat on Tuesday.