Easton Cowan has ditched social media.
So the London Knights star has simply ignored all the barbs and jabs that came his way after Canada crashed out in the quarterfinal round of the world junior tournament against Czechia last week. He had an inkling of what life would be like after becoming a Toronto Maple Leafs first-round pick in 2023.
“People are going to talk no matter what you do in life,” the 19-year-old from Mt. Brydges said. “Whatever sport you’re playing, there’s always going to be people out there hating on you and there will be people standing up for you. I’m not going to listen to someone who’s being negative that I wouldn’t go to for advice. Ever since I’ve been drafted, I’ve lived by that quote.
“I don’t really care what people are saying to me. You can’t listen to them hate on you if you wouldn’t let them help you out in life.”
Cowan didn’t want to point fingers on what went wrong for the second straight year. Personally, he felt like he had a good start in Ottawa but wasn’t able to build on that momentum.
“It sucks losing,” he said. “I felt like we had a good team and I loved everyone there. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get it done. Pre-tournament, I was good and in the first game against Finland (Boxing Day). After that, I couldn’t find my game. I don’t know what was going on.”
He thought the best individual performances of his season so far were in the exhibition games against Switzerland and Sweden. Alas, those teams weren’t opponents when it counted.
“But I’m moving on and I’m a London Knight now,” he said. “I would have loved to do better for this country and I tried my best. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the bounces and I couldn’t really find my game at the moments I needed to and that happens sometimes.”
Cowan was maligned for his shootout try in the historic loss to Latvia, but the same move worked against Canadian goaltender Carter George when the Knights played Owen Sound earlier this season.
“I thought five-hole would be there and I didn’t think (stopper Linards Feldbergs) would know my move,” he said. “I should have brought it to my backhand – but it’s history.”
Does he think Latvia had a book on his recent attempts in the OHL?
“One hundred per cent,” he replied.
Cowan said he enjoyed playing for Ottawa 67’s coach Dave Cameron and the whole team – which included Knights teammates Oliver Bonk and Sam Dickinson – supported each other after being bounced.
“It’s not something you want to go through, but that’s life,” he said. “We lost in the Memorial Cup final (in Saginaw last June) and that’s behind me. Losing in the quarterfinals hurts as much as losing in the Cup. I’m getting back on the ice now and looking forward to Friday (against Windsor).”
That’s the main message he has received from the Maple Leafs and the Knights. He returns with his 56-game OHL point-scoring streak still intact and will put it on the line against the Spitfires.
“These things happen in sports,” London coach Dale Hunter said. “Our guys have another game Friday to win so it’s time to go to work in practice and get ready for it. All those teams at the world juniors are good and a break or two changes it.
“One semifinal went 14 shooters and the final went to overtime.”
Would Hunter, who was coach of Canada’s 2020 world junior gold-medal team in Ostrava, Czechia, want to try again soon?
He laughed and didn’t answer directly.
“Canada is passionate about hockey,” he said, “and they always want to win.”