Easton Cowan on his London Knights return: ‘Good to see the boys’

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The band is finally back together.

Easton Cowan, Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey are set to make their OHL season debuts with the London Knights this week and it’s likely all three will play Wednesday in Owen Sound. They are major difference makers and will instantly lift the fortunes of a club that has sputtered to a 1-3 start.

Most importantly, they appear pleased to be here again. That goes a long way in tempering the disappointment of being told you’re not quite ready for the big time yet.

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“You want to make the team,” Cowan, 19, said of his Maple Leafs experience. “But for my development, it’s right I came back. Happy to get started, excited to play and pumped to get on the ice.

“It’s good to see the boys.”

Cowan worked out Tuesday on a line with Barkey and Oilers first-rounder Sam O’Reilly. That’s three Canadian world junior hopefuls on a single unit. Toss in Bonk, the Flyers first-rounder, and Sharks 11th overall selection Sam Dickinson and that’s a heck of a five-man power play, too.

It immediately gives their legendary coach a bunch of interesting options.

“It’s one of those things where they went and had their (NHL) tryouts,” Dale Hunter said. “Now, we get them back and it’s a good thing for us.”

This is London’s winning core and a big chunk of its leadership. Cowan, Barkey, Bonk and Dickinson excelled in the run to the 2023 OHL championship series and followed up with the league title in 2024 before falling a goal short in the Memorial Cup final at Saginaw.

“There was a lot of unknown on who would be back,” said Barkey, who’s recovering from mononucleosis. “So to see it come back together is pretty cool and we’re hoping to make another run.”

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Cowan, of course, will be watched closely again. He matured a lot from his stay in Toronto this time.

The 2023 first-rounder had to deal with being in the spotlight of one of the world’s great hockey markets for an extended period.

“There’s a lot of pressure up there, but I like it,” the Mt. Brydges native said. “Obviously, you have to be able to tune it out at moments. They (the Leafs) are happy with me. They want me to focus on my details. Do the little things and they’ll contribute to the points.”

What do you do for an encore after winning the OHL’s MVP award? That is Cowan’s challenge now.

Does he put up something like 120 points in 47 points like Connor McDavid did in his final junior season? Whatever the number, he has to inspire others and produce again when it matters most.

“The points and the goals and the offensive flair,” Bonk said of what his teammate brings. “Just being in the room, it helps having him around) and being an older guy. Having ‘been there, done that’ helps a lot.”

The sky’s the limit, according to 100-point man Barkey.

“He’s such a special player,” the Flyers prospect said. “Him (being) a year older in this league is going to be even more dangerous.”

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Cowan was just returned, but Bonk watched the Knights play in a 6-3 loss at Brampton Saturday. That championship mindset was missing.

“It’s going to help a lot with everyone back,” he said. “The kind of mood has changed a bit. We’ve got to tighten up.”

Now, everything is not settled with the Knights yet. Some questions linger.

Over-age forward Landon Sim is getting closer to a return from a shoulder injury and sniper Kasper Halttunen is starting the year with the San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks’ American league affiliate.

But even without them, the Knights expect to win all three of their games this week.

“We have a great team again.” Cowan said. “Lots of good players. Lots of NHL draft picks. We’re excited to pick things up. My (ultimate) goal is to make the NHL.

“Right now, I’m focused on being a London Knight and I’m excited to do that.”

rpyette@postmedia.com

KNIGHTSWATCH

Wednesday: at Owen Sound, 7 p.m. Max McCue’s brother Sam leads Attack with two goals in three games.

Friday: vs. Barrie, 7 p.m. First Knights game played at newly-named Canada Life Place.

Saturday: vs. Guelph, 4 p.m. Storm d-man Cam Allen has five points in four games.

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