The Toronto Maple Leafs forward will suit up in his first big-league game on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings, he told reporters Sunday. And if practice was an indication, he’ll play on a line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
Cowan, 20, will likely draw in for fellow forward Steven Lorentz, who suffered an upper-body injury Saturday against the Red Wings.
The 29-year-old did not skate in Sunday’s practice and is “doubtful” to participate in the rematch against Detroit, head coach Craig Berube said.
His absence opens the door for Cowan, who made the Maple Leafs’ opening-night roster but has been a healthy scratch in each of the first two games.
The Mount Brydges, Ont., native is making his first push into the pros after spending the past four seasons in the OHL. In 46 games with the London Knights last season, Cowan potted 29 goals and 69 points to help lead the Knights to their third-ever Memorial Cup.
Toronto selected Cowan 28th overall in the 2023 draft.
In the wake of the Lorentz injury, Berube shuffled each of the Leafs’ forward lines. With Cowan skating on the Matthews line, winger Mattias Macelli moved to a second line with John Tavares and William Nylander. Consequently, Bobby McMann dropped to a third line alongside Nick Robertson and Max Domi, while Dakota Joshua joined Nicolas Roy and Calle Jarnkrok on the fourth line.
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