Easton Cowan has three assists as Marlies beat Wolves, win Calder Cup

Cowan finished with 18 points in 22 playoff games

Published Jun 19, 2026  •  Last updated 20 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

Easton Cowan of the Toronto Marlies pauses before Game 5 of the Calder Cup final on June 19, 2026 in Toronto. Photo by Barry McCluskey /Toronto Marlies

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As the Maple Leafs continue to try to figure out how to become a Stanley Cup contender, the guys on the farm don’t mind filling in the gaps with some hardware of their own.

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The Toronto Marlies are Calder Cup champions for the second time, and first since 2018, after beating the Chicago Wolves 4-3 in Game 5 of the best-of-seven final on Friday night.

Two players who hope to one day be a part of some big-time Leafs success in the playoffs — forward Easton Cowan and goalie Artur Akhtyamov — were instrumental in the Marlies victory before an emotional and loud crowd of 8,682 at the Coca-Cola Coliseum.

Akhtyamov again was excellent in what was his 20th consecutive start as the Marlies took the series.

Several reasons led to the Marlies’ championship — a fine blend of veterans and youngsters brought timely scoring, depth and plenty of character, and coach John Gruden made it all work — but without the play of Akhtyamov, the Marlies don’t win the Calder Cup.

And how about Cowan? He has won four hockey championships, and he turned 21 just last month.

If that kind of pedigree doesn’t eventually help the Leafs get to where they want to go in the playoffs, we don’t know what will.

Two Ontario Hockey League titles with the London Knights and a Memorial Cup win last year preceded the Calder Cup for Cowan.

Cowan had three assists and put his offensive skills on display throughout, and finished with 18 points in 22 playoff games after his rookie season with the Leafs ended. Don’t expect Cowan to play in the American Hockey League again.

Cowan’s spot on the Leafs next season is secured. Akhtyamov will take a run at a Leafs job in training camp. So will Jacob Quillan and Bo Groulx, among others.

After spotting the Wolves a 2-0 lead in the first period, the Marlies went to work and scored the next four goals.

Fourth-liner Landon Sim, who hit everything in a Wolves sweater throughout the final, deflected a Matt Benning point shot in the final minute of the first to point the Marlies in the right direction.

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Goals in the second period by Groulx, Quillan and Vinni Lettieri put the Marlies up 4-2 before Chicago’s Felix Unger Sorum scored his second of the game on a power play with six seconds left in the period.

In the moments after Groulx scored, the first chants of “We want the Cup!” went up from the delirious gathering.

They got their wish.

Chayka ‘really impressed’ with Danford

During a Zoom call with media on Friday following the acquisition of defenceman Darren Raddysh, Leafs general manager John Chayka was asked specifically about another righty on the blue line — prospect Ben Danford.

“These are always great stories when you have no involvement to see good selection, proper development process with the development coaches, a high-character kid who is doing everything he can to maximize his abilities,” Chayka said. “Really understands his role, understands what he brings to the table, and is committed to it. I’ve been really impressed. He’s on a great path. It’s going to be a process with him.

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“We have lots of great options on the right side of our defence. We’re going to bring him up the right way. At the right time, when afforded the opportunity, he certainly projects to be an impact player at the NHL level.”

Since coming to the Marlies from Brantford of the Ontario Hockey League, Danford played in 16 playoff games and was quietly effective on a pairing with Marshall Rifai. At the age of 20, no less.

We’re with Chayka in his assessment of Danford. The Belleville native has a bright hockey future.

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   Easton Cowan, Artur Akhtyamov have Marlies win away from Calder Cup title

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