Easton Cowan, Sam Dickinson looking forward to clash between ex-London Knights teammates

Easton Cowan and Sam Dickinson won a Memorial Cup together with the London Knights. Now, they’re set to square off against each in the National Hockey League, with each rookie playing a prominent role.

Cowan, who was selected 28th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2023 NHL Draft, is firmly established within the top-six, on a line with John Tavares. Dickinson, who was selected by the Sharks 11th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, is averaging just under 15 minutes per game during his rookie year.

Both players have received an extended leash in their first tastes of NHL action, with Cowan putting up nine points in 21 games with the Maple Leafs, and Dickinson recording a goal and two points in 24 games so far. Cowan spoke to reporters at morning skate and talked about his excitement to suit up against an old friend.

“It’ll be cool. Obviously a good player, I’ve known him for a while,” Cowan said of his former teammate. “It’s tough going against him in practice, so it’s going to be a challenge here tonight, but it’ll be really fun to play against him.”

Cowan was then asked who typically had bragging rights after battles in practice, and he kept things honest.

“Probably him, honestly,” Cowan said with a smile. “I mean, he’s very good defensively, and if he makes good plays defensively, he’s probably going to jump into the rush. He’s got really good hockey sense.”

Dickinson shared similar feelings, although he also admitted that he won bragging rights against Cowan in practice.

“I’ve never played against him, so I’m looking forward to it. I think I’d like to say I know all of his moves, if he tries to do something to me. We’ll see what happens, unless he learned something,” Dickinson said.

Leading the Sharks is 2024 first-round pick Macklin Celebrini, who has taken an astronomical step forward in his second NHL season and is currently third in league in scoring with 43 points in 31 games. Cowan had the opportunity to skate with Celebrini at the 2024 World Juniors and talked about the challenge that facing him will bring him and the Leafs.

“Another really good player, really good offensively and good defensively too,” Cowan said. “We’ve got to play him hard and try to limit his chances.”

Cowan will be skating on a line with John Tavares and Nick Robertson as the team experiments with a spread-out look following the one-game suspension to Bobby McMann. So far in 2025-26, he has done everything asked of him when called upon and then some, making it a challenge for the Leafs to consider sending him to the AHL.