Jagger Firkus beats out Leafs prospect Easton Cowan for CHL Player of the Year award

Moose Jaw Warriors forward and Seattle Kraken prospect Jagger Firkus has been named the Canadian Hockey League’s Player of the Year, the league announced Saturday afternoon.

London Knights forward and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan was also up for the award after winning the Red Tilson Trophy as Ontario Hockey League MVP. Mathieu Cataford (Halifax Mooseheads/Vegas Golden Knights) was the other finalist.

Firkus, 20, dominated the WHL during his D+2 season with the Warriors, racking up an astounding 61 goals and 126 points in just 63 games during the regular season en route to finishing as the CHL’s top scorer.

The Irma, AB product added 14 goals and 32 points in 20 playoff games to help the Warriors capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions; he managed two goals and four points in four games at the Memorial Cup.

Cowan, 19, will play for the Memorial Cup on Sunday as his Knights take on the Saginaw Spirit in the Final. Despite widely being considered a “reach” when the Maple Leafs selected him with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Cowan exceeded all expectations in his D+1 year in London, amassing 34 goals and 96 points in 54 games. The Mount Brydges, Ontario product also appeared in five games with Team Canada at the 2024 World Juniors.

After that, Cowan continued to stay hot into the playoffs, collecting 10 goals and 34 points in 18 games as the Knights breezed their way to the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions. He has five points in five Memorial Cup games heading into Sunday’s championship contest.

Cataford, the other finalist, was selected by the Golden Knights in the third round (No. 77 overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. The 5’11” centre managed 40 goals and 90 points in 65 games with the Mooseheads before being held to just two points in four playoff contests.

As a 2005-born player, Cowan will only be eligible to play in either the NHL or OHL to start the 2024-25 season. After his standout first year as a Maple Leafs prospect — and considering how many solid forwards on this Toronto team are headed for free agency — there’s a solid chance Cowan gets at least a brief look with the big club out of their 2024 training camp.