June 1, 2008

David Burstyn
McKeen's Hockey Prospects Staff

McKeen's had a chance to catch up with Cowen to ask about his team's unbelievable ride and talk about his first time playing in the Ontario province at the Under-17 held at Christmas this past season.

McKeen's: Let's talk about how much your game has matured. This season was an unbelievable one, as you led all WHL rookie defenseman in plus/minus, played in all your teams' games and saw icetime in all situations. How have you managed to mature so quickly?

Cowen: I got some early exposure last season with a brief stint in the regular season but more so in the playoffs. I came into camp this year and we had many veterans on the backend so I could talk to them about something and just learn from them. Playing in all situations is something I look forward too and I flourish with more responsibility. I want to be challenged and really pushed myself. I was hoping to be one of the top four defensemen when I started the season and knew I would have to elevate my play when given the chance.

McKeen's: You played in six regular season games last season and accumulated 75 PIM's according to the media guide. Is that a typo because you only had 62 in 68 games this year?

Cowen: (Smiles) I don't think so!

McKeen's: Were you trying to assert yourself and make a name for yourself?

Cowen: (Laughs) I was just trying not to get killed myself. That was my main focus.

McKeen's: Jared Spurgeon has been your defense partner for the entire Memorial Cup. Has he been the guy who has helped you out the most?

Cowen: I have not played with anyone else but Jared for the better part of the season. We have been relied upon to shutdown other team's top lines. He is pretty young still, I mean older compared to me but I think he is a late 1989, but he has been a guy I have turned too. He has good skills on both the PP and the PK, so I have definitely learned a lot playing with him just watching and trying to take on some of his skills in terms of how he approaches the game.

McKeen's: You guys had a few grueling series against the Giants and Americans en route to the WHL finals. Who were some of the key guys you were primarily responsible for in terms of shutting down?

Cowen: The Vancouver series was a tough series for me and Spurg. We were often lined up against Machacek, Blum and Repik. When you are forced to play guys like that it creates the ultimate challenge and you do not want to let your teammates down. They were dangerous in 5-5 situations and especially on the PP. The Amerks had Yellowhorn, Vey and Reese and they were incredibly fast. We really had to make our adjustments early to match their speed and be careful not to pinch too much against them, as they almost dared you to do so. Spurg and I kept constant communication with one another on the ice because that Tri-City series was probably our most difficult task to date.

McKeen's: This is not your first time making the trip to the province of Ontario, as you played for Team West at the Under-17 in London early this season. As someone who watched that series extensively you are playing a completely different style of game than the one you are playing now. You were the centre piece of that defensive unit, rushing the puck up the ice at will. Have you been coached to hold back in Spokane?

Cowen: I have to pay my dues to the older guys and work for my PP chances. They came rather easily on that team (Team West) but the older guys are entitled to those minutes first and that is understandable. However, the Under 17, while it was competitive there are so many better players at this level and at this stage especially. You need to make quick plays and unlike the Under 17 where I could handle the puck and recover it if I lost it, at this level that mistake will cost us a goal and I would look pretty embarrassed. It was fun to skate on that Olympic-sized ice in Woodstock and work on those skills but that time is over and right now I have to focus on my surroundings at all times, otherwise I could look pretty stupid.

McKeen's: Did your game improve after that tournament?

Cowen: Like I said, it was nice to be able to go for end-to-end rushes with the puck. It reminded me of Midget so that was rewarding. It probably helped me in the regard that I needed to make plays with the puck and the tournament allowed me to almost get that out of my system so I could come back to Spokane and focus on having a strong second half.

McKeen's: Let's talk about 'Tic" (Tokarski) what can be said about this guy?

Cowen: Another good old Sask boy. We both come from small communities so we understand one another really well and have bonded. Last year he played in the playoffs because Armstrong was sick and this year he has been unbelievable. He is still a young guy, a 1989 with a bright future ahead of him and I am excited for him.

McKeen's: On the topic of age, are you at all excited that guys like Al Murray from Hockey Canada are in attendance and are scouting you for upcoming international events like the Under-18 Ivan Hlinka Tournament?

Cowen: I would be lying if I told you I did not think about it. He visited me and others during the Under-17 tournament. It is nice to get national recognition and there is no bigger forum than Team Canada.