Easton Cowan’s ‘insane’ 52-game point-scoring streak, in context

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London Knights star Easton Cowan is on the verge of history, with his point-scoring streak now at 52 regular-season games – three shy of the OHL record of 55. He could break it next Thursday, in Peterborough, and LFP sportswriter Ryan Pyette has put the stunning streak in context alongside other legendary scoring runs.

52 GAMES – AND COUNTING

If the Mt. Brydges native hits 56 games, it won’t be officially recognized in the OHL record books because it stretches over two seasons, having started on Nov. 25, 2023 in Barrie. But the league will celebrate the accomplishment if he gets there.

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Future hall of famer Doug Gilmour set the record, 55 games, while playing with the Cornwall Royals in 1982-83.

Last season, Cowan had points in a club-record 36 regular-season games until the playoffs started. The reigning league MVP tacked on another six games with at least one point in the post-season before being blanked in Game 3 of the second round.

After being returned to junior hockey this fall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, he’s got a point in all 16 games he’s played – good for 52 regular-season games in a row. He faces a grueling 3-in-3 weekend that starts against Owen Sound Friday (7 p.m.) at Canada Life Place, continues Saturday in Saginaw (7:05 p.m.) and wraps up Sunday (4 p.m.) at home against Ottawa.

If the Toronto first-rounder’s run survives, Game 56 will be next Thursday in Peterborough against the last-place Petes.

A FULL TEAM EFFORT

Cowan’s Knights teammates want him to keep it rolling.

“We have to try to keep that going,” said linemate Kasper Halttunen, a Sharks second-rounder. “It’s just insane how he does that. I don’t think there’s anybody that’s going to break that (when it’s finished). I’m happy for him.”

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Cowan acknowledged the support after getting a last-minute empty-netter on Tuesday in Kitchener. “I’m just really appreciative of them and couldn’t be here without them.”

OTHER NOTABLE OHL STREAKS

Doug Gilmour: 55 games. 1982-83 with the Cornwall Royals. The ex-NHL great and Maple Leafs legend piled up 70 goals and 177 points in 68 games in his final junior season. He was part of the Calgary Flames’ 1989 Stanley Cup championship along with current Knights GM Mark Hunter and compiled 1,414 points in 1,474 NHL games. He later became GM and president of his hometown Kingston Frontenacs and served as head coach from 2008-11.

Bill Bowler: 41 games. 1994-95 with the Windsor Spitfires. The current Spitfires GM’s run came in his fourth and final OHL season, where he posted 33 goals and 135 points in 61 games. Windsor lost in the second round of the playoffs that spring. Bowler became a high-scoring professional in the International Hockey League, spent several years in the American league and played nine games with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2000-01. Back in Windsor, Bowler built a roster that went to the OHL finals in 2022 against Hamilton.

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Trevor Letowski: 34 games. 1996-97 with the Sarnia Sting. Last year, Cowan’s streak was at 36 games to close out the 2023-24 regular season. It was the longest since Letowski put together 34 straight games with a point in his third and final year with the Sting. Letowski had 35 goals and 107 points in 55 games that season. Who was second in Sarnia scoring behind him that year? Jon Sim, current Knights forward Landon Sim’s father. The Sting ended up bowing out in the second round of the playoffs. Letowski went on to play 616 NHL games, starting with Phoenix, and came back to coach both Sarnia and Windsor in the OHL ranks. He is now an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens.

THE CHL RECORD

The record for the Canadian Hockey League – comprised of the OHL, Western league and Quebec league – isn’t in danger. At least not yet.

CHL officials say it’s held by Mario Lemieux, who scored in 61 straight games with Laval in the Quebec league in 1983-84. Jeff Nelson holds the Western league record at 56 games (1990-91 with Prince Albert) and they’re followed by Gilmour’s 55 games, Luc Simard (52 games, Trois-Rivieres, 1969-70), Jim Fox (52 games, Ottawa 67’s, 1979-80) and now Cowan.

rpyette@postmedia.com

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