Maple Leafs select Easton Cowan with No. 28 overall pick in 2023 NHL Draft

The Toronto Maple Leafs selected forward Easton Cowan with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee. Cowan last played for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.

The Mount Brydges, Ontario, product registered 20 goals and 33 assists for 53 points in 68 games this past season with the Knights. He added an additional nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 20 OHL Playoff games.

The year prior, Cowan played Junior B hockey in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) with the Komoka Wings, where he scored 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points in 24 games. He appeared in seven OHL games with the Knights during the regular season and five playoff contests, recording two assists.

Cowan becomes the second Knights player to be selected in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft after the Philadelphia Flyers snagged defenseman Oliver Bonk at pick No. 22. Cowan will return to the Knights for another season of major junior.

“After spending last year in Jr. B, Cowan exploded for 20 goals and 53 points this year. He played his best hockey during the playoffs, though, recording 21 points in 20 games. And it feels like he’s just scratching the surface, which could make Cowan an excellent value pick,” said Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis.

The Maple Leafs won’t pick next until pick No. 153 in the fifth round of the NHL Draft, which will get underway Thursday.