Hockey Now's NHL Draft Countdown: DAY 24

7th-ranked prospect: Jared Cowen

Team: Spokane, WHL
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Height: 6-5
Weight: 220 pounds
Born: January 25, 1991
Hometown: Sasksatoon, SK, CAN
ISS Ranking: 7th overall
Central Scouting Ranking: 9th among N.A. skaters

Photo: Courtesy of Spokane Chiefs

Compared to Zdeno Chara, Jared Cowen may be the most NHL-ready defensemen in the draft.
Cowen has all the mechanics needed to play in today’s NHL – he has tremendous size, good skating, and the much desired ability to jump into the play and contribute offensively.
Cowen really put his name out there in his rookie season in 2007/08, as he helped lead the Spokane Chiefs to a Memorial Cup championship, where he proved the everyone that he was capable of shutting down the best players in the league, on the biggest stage of them all.
Last season, Cowen had his season cut short due to a knee injury in January, but not before he acquired a plus-15 rating, along with seven goals, 14 assists and 21 points in 48 games played.


Video from mapleleafs.nhl.tv

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7th pick in 2009: Toronto Maple Leafs

Photograph by Getty Images

TEAM NEEDS
Anybody who has followed hockey the last decade can tell you that the Leafs need a bit of everything. Primarily, Toronto can’t expect to be a playoff team with their lack of scoring punch up front, so look for new GM Brian Burke to make a big splash in the forward free agent market. The Leafs have a lot of young prospects at all positions, but until they bring in a good combination of proven players, they will continue to struggle making the playoffs.

NOTABLE PICKS THIS DECADE
Luke Schenn (2008, 5th); Tuuka Rask (2005, 21st); Alex Steen (2002, 24th); Matt Stajan (2002, 57th); Ian White (2002, 191st); Kyle Wellwood (2001, 134th); Brad Boyes (2000, 24th)

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7th pick in 1999: Kris Beech, C (WAS)

NHL TOTALS
25 G, 42 A, 67 P, 198 GP, 113 PIM

BEST SEASON
2006/2007 – Washington Capitols (NHL) 8 G, 18 A, 26 P, 64 GP, 46 PIM

WHERE IS HE NOW?
HV71 Jonkoping (SEL)

Hockey Now’s Jordan Chong will be profiling a top prospect every day leading up to the NHL Draft in Montreal, June 26. Rankings provided by International Scouting Services; full draft guide available now at www.isshockey.com. Leave your comments and check out our official website at www.hockeynow.ca.