A player who Toronto hockey fans hope will one day star for their beloved Maple Leafs is setting records — unofficially, at least — in the junior hockey world.
Leafs prospect and reigning league MVP Easton Cowan scored in a game on Friday to notch an unofficial points streak in the Ontario Hockey League.
The forward, who plays for the London Knights, extended his run to 56 regular season games in which he has had a goal or an assist, or both.
He unofficially passes a mark set by former Leafs great Doug Gilmour, who had points in 55 straight games back in the 1982-83 season with the now defunct Cornwall Royals.
Gilmour's mark is considered the official record as it was recorded in one season, while Cowan's run of either scoring a goal or assisting on one started last season.
The former Leaf offered congratulations, calling Cowan’s feat “an impressive streak”.
Gilmour, seen frequently these days on sports broadcasts playing road hockey in an ad for a whisky brand, told Cowan, “Keep going bud!”
Cowan’s impressive run dates back to Nov. 25, 2023. He has had 94 points (38 goals, 56 assists) during that time.
The Maple Leafs picked the Strathroy, Ont., native in the first round (28th overall) in the 2023 draft and later signed him to a three-year entry-level contract.
The 19-year-old will have a chance to suit up for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships later this month in Ottawa.
A staple of Christmas time TV viewing, Canada plays its first World Juniors game against Finland on Dec. 26.
Another player with a local connection invited to Canada's world juniors selection camp is defenceman Sam Dickinson of Toronto, who also plays for the London Knights.
Dickinson is a draft pick of the NHL's San Jose Sharks.
While Cowan scored against the visiting Oshawa Generals, a hit from Generals defenceman Zack Sandhu sent both players to the dressing room.
With Cowan out, the Generals rallied to score five times to snap London’s 19-game win streak with a 5-3 win.
Knights general manager Mark Hunter told the London Free Press that Cowan was 'feeling good' and did not expect the hit would impact his appearance at the world juniors selection camp.
Congratulations Easton Cowan such an impressive streak. Keep going bud!
— Doug Gilmour (@douggilmour) December 7, 2024
📷 @londonknights
