Rookie Easton Cowan made it one step closer to the NHL on Monday, surviving a round of cuts and joining the Maple Leafs on its team-building trip to Bracebridge.

Coach Craig Berube praise the “details” of Cowan’s game after practice.

“We talked about it before camp, he and I, about what he needs to do to play in the NHL, what’s going to get him to the NHL right now,” said Berube. “I think he’s done that. He’s done what we asked. The hounding part of the game, the work ethic, the compete, playing connectable, playing direct.

“He’s done it in camp, and he’s done it in games, too.”

Cowan, the Leafs first-round pick from the 2023 draft, continued to practise with veterans Scott Laughton and Steven Lorentz while the likes of Nick Robertson, David Kämpf, Calle Järnkrok and Michael Pezzetta

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