Maple Leafs Prospect Easton Cowan Dominates Memorial Cup, Validates Return To Junior Decision

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan is a Memorial Cup champion with the OHL's London Knights.

The 20-year-old scored London's second goal against the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers on Sunday in the Memorial Cup Final, finishing the tournament with three goals and four assists in five games. His seven points are tied with Knights teammate Denver Barkey for the most among players in the competition.

Cowan was also named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

"Just unreal. Kind of speechless. What an effort. What a team we had. I don't know what to say right now. Speechless. So proud of this team," Cowan told TSN's Raegan Subban after winning the Memorial Cup.

"Sucks it's my last game as a Knight, but I'm so glad I got to do it with these guys and win a championship. Just couldn't have done it without the London Knights organization."

London's Memorial Cup win comes one year after the team fell in the final 4-3 against the tournament-host Saginaw Spirit. Cowan, the Maple Leafs' 2023 first-round pick (28th overall), had three goals and five assists through those four games, leading all players in the competition.

Cowan's 15 points through two tournaments ties him with Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner for the most in Knights franchise history.

"It means a lot. He's a player I grew up watching," Cowan said. "He's a super special player and just a super special person for sure. I'll send him a text about that one for sure."

London had a historic run in the OHL playoffs, only losing one game, against the Oshawa Generals in the OHL Championship. They won their second-straight title with a 5-2 win over the Generals on May 15.

Cowan led all players in the OHL's postseason with 39 points — 13 goals and 26 assists — in 17 games.

Going into Toronto's training camp, many wondered if Cowan could stand out and make the Maple Leafs. However, after an underwhelming camp, the forward returned to London and continued his historic point streak from the 2023-24 season.

The feat ended in February after 65 games. It was labelled the longest unofficial point streak in OHL history after the league decided it wouldn't register the achievement since it spanned two seasons.

Cowan finished the 2024-25 regular season with 29 goals and 40 assists for 69 points in 46 games. The forward's prestigious junior career, featuring a regular-season and playoff MVP award, concludes with 220 points — 84 goals and 136 assists — in 175 games, spanning four seasons.

After setting a new franchise record with 96 playoff points through 60 games, Cowan will play in the NHL or AHL next season with the Maple Leafs organization.