After being a surprising first-round pick in his draft year, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan has done nothing but exceed expectations.
From leading his team to an OHL Championship, being named the OHL regular season and playoff MVP, leading his team to within one goal of a Memorial Cup, and making Team Canada's WJC squad for back-to-back years, he's accomplished almost everything at the junior level.
However, a recent injury in a game against the Oshawa Generals will keep the Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect out of Team Canada's selection camp due to precautionary reasons.
But it's not all bad news, as the injury may not be as bad as we think.
Maple Leafs Top Prospect to Attend, But Not Play in Team Canada WJC Camp
All signs point towards Cowan still playing in the actual tournament itself, as he will only be out for the selection camp process of the World Juniors. This is amazing for Team Canada, as after he played a minor role in last year's disappointing 5th-place Canadian squad, Cowan looks to be a leader and one of the main offensive contributors this time around.
On top of being one of six returning players (including Tanner Molendyk) invited back to the WJC squad from last year, Cowan has continued his terrific point streak that he was able to maintain for most of last year, and he has made history in doing so.
As of December 6th, coincidentally the game he was injured, Cowan has extended his OHL point streak to a record 56 games over this season and last, setting an unofficial record for the longest point streak in the history of the OHL.
Look for Cowan to continue his OHL dominance into the WJC this year, where he looks to pick up where he left off from his OHL season on December 26th, where Team Canada opens against their international rivals, Team Finland.
Despite still attending the selection camp from the sidelines, Hockey Canada has selected Beckett Sennecke to replace the Leafs top prospect on the ice.
Sennecke has been another OHL player on fire this year, coincidentally playing for the Oshawa Generals.
Either way, Cowan and the rest of Team Canada look to lead their squad to another gold medal after last year's unfortunately disappointing finish.