Easton Cowan has exceeded expectations since being taken 27th overall at the 2023 NHL entry draft. He has now shared a big reason why, involving Dale Hunter.
Easton Cowan has taken the Maple Leafs fanbase by storm since his draft, with his non-stop motor, high-energy play, and two-way creativity.
While many assumed that his playstyle was simply part of his competitive personality, it turns out that a certain legendary NHL enforcer, Dale Hunter, is very close with the London Knights superstar, who he's coached for the last few years.
"He's a really good friend of Dale (Hunter) and so they've been texting all year too and Dale always talks to me about, you know, Chief [Berube] and Chief always talked to me about Dale.
So that was a pretty cool relationship there but, I really like the way he coaches, you know, obviously he played hard back in his day so I feel like, you know, I'll be able to fit in sooner rather than later, and, you know, it's just a matter of time."
Craig Berube is certainly fond of the way Cowan plays the game, making these comments in a pre-season interview:
"He's a no-nonsense player for me. He's got great work habits. He's got a nose for the puck, the puck follows him. He can get gritty and inside. He can score in different situations. He's a worker. A worker that can produce, is the way I'd put it.”
- Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube
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While Cowan may never be an enforcer quite on the level Dale Hunter, having that type of influence in his game can't hurt... well.. it might hurt his opponents.
