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

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.