Date: November 1, 2025
Source: Toronto Maple Leafs (YouTube)
After scoring his first NHL goal in the Maple Leafs’ 5–2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, rookie forward Easton Cowan spoke with the media about finally breaking through, the mental grind of chasing that milestone, and what it meant to share the moment with teammate John Tavares.
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On Scoring His First NHL Goal
“Yeah, felt good. I mean, I felt like the last couple games I’ve had a lot of chances, so just stuck with it and it felt good to go in and get the win here.”
On Staying Confident Through the Drought
“It’s a mental grind — you want to score, and the first however many games I played, I didn’t. So I just stuck with it in practice, kept getting better, and felt like it was just a matter of time. It felt good that one went in for sure.”
On Sharing the Moment with John Tavares
“I’ve lived with him a bunch, so just to share that moment with him was awesome. What a play by him — just an unreal player and an even better guy.”
On What He’ll Do with the Puck
“I’ve got a room back home, so I’ll put it there. I’m sure my mom will want it there. I haven’t even talked to her yet — pretty sure she’s pumped. Maybe I’ll give her a call before I get on the plane.”
On Family and Support
“I checked my phone a bit — a bunch of texts from guys back in London, my girlfriend, a lot of family members too. Just cool. Shows how much support I have at home, and I wouldn’t be here without any of them.”
On the Team’s Effort in the Win
“I felt like this game we just played direct. Played very north hockey — hard on the forecheck, good on the backcheck, finishing our checks. It’s not about blowing guys up, it’s the little stuff through the hands that’s annoying for D all night. If we stick with that, we’ll be fine.”
On Seeing Chris Tanev Go Down
“Obviously you don’t want to see anyone like that. It’s scary, and just hoping for the best for him. You never want to see anyone go down like that.”
Pulse Takeaway
Easton Cowan’s first NHL goal was more than a milestone — it was a reward for persistence. The 20-year-old showed maturity beyond his years, emphasizing effort, structure, and composure in his postgame remarks. His chemistry with John Tavares and relentless forechecking continue to impress the Leafs’ coaching staff.
Quotes from Easton Cowan via Toronto Maple Leafs (YouTube). Used for analysis and commentary.
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