Easton Cowan‘s NHL debut will have to wait.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have loaned their first-round pick back to the OHL’s London Knights, the NHL team announced Monday.
Cowan, 19, is ineligible to play in the AHL, so the Leafs either had to keep him in the NHL or return him to junior.
Picked 28th overall by the Leafs in 2023, Cowan went on to win the OHL’s MVP award last season. He had 34 goals and 62 assists for 96 points in 54 games, helping London win the OHL title and advance to the Memorial Cup final.
Cowan also played for Canada at last year’s world junior championship, and should get the call again this holiday season in Ottawa.
With Cowan back in the fold, the Knights are expected to make another run at an OHL championship. London is off to a slow start at 1-3, but has been waiting for several key players to return from NHL camps.