On the fall: Ty Voit
After graduating from the OHL with a strong 100+ point season with the Sarnia Sting in 2022-23, Ty Voit was looking to continue more of that success in his first professional hockey season in the Leafs organization in 2023. However, ill-timed injuries ended up wiping out all but six games in his 2023-24 campaign, severely stunting his overall growth and development in his game. Nevertheless, Voit at least showed a glimpse of promise when he recorded 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points in just 5 games played with the now defunct ECHL Newfoundland Growlers.
However, Voit failed to make the Marlies roster this year and began 2024-25 with the Leafs newly ECHL-affiliate Cincinnati Cyclones. With the Cyclones struggles so far this season, so has the play of Voit at the same time. In 19 games played thus far, he has compiled just 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points to currently tie for sixth in team scoring. For a once-promising player, Voit will likely have a longer road ahead of him to get himself back into relevance in the Leafs organization going forward.
On the rise: Easton Cowan
Finally, we have who else but the exciting Easton Cowan. No other Leafs prospect during the past season has seen their stock rise as much and as fast as Cowan since he was selected in the first round, 28th overall by Toronto in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
All he has done last year was put up 34 goals and 96 points in just 54 games played with the London Knights, while adding another 34 points in just 18 playoff games to help the Knights capture the OHL championship. (All stats from NHL.com and hockeydb.com)
This season, Cowan has continued his success, making history in the process by recording at least a single point in 56 consecutive games dating back to last season. His 56-game point streak unofficially broke Doug Gilmour’s previous OHL record of registering a point in 55 consecutive games.
On top of that, Cowan will be helping Team Canada to look for redemption at the upcoming World Juniors, after finishing out of the medals last time out. With a potentially high ceiling, Cowan should no doubt challenge for a permanent spot on the Leafs roster that could come as early as next season.