Jared Cowen
Jared Cowen (born January 25, 1991) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) primarily for the Ottawa Senators.[1][2] Standing at 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm) tall and weighing 238 pounds (108 kg), Cowen was known for his physical presence and left-handed shot.[1][3] He appeared in 249 NHL games over six seasons, recording 15 goals and 31 assists for 46 points, along with 174 penalty minutes.[3][4] Cowen's hockey journey began in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where he played minor hockey before joining the Saskatoon Contacts U18 AAA team.[2] In 2006, he was selected first overall in the Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft by the Spokane Chiefs, where he developed into a top junior prospect over four seasons (2007–2011).[2] As captain of the Chiefs in his final two junior years, he contributed to their 2008 Memorial Cup championship, appearing in four tournament games with two points.[2] Internationally, Cowen represented Canada at the 2008 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, earning a bronze medal, and won a silver medal at the 2010 IIHF World U20 Championship.[2] Drafted ninth overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Cowen made his NHL debut in the 2009–10 season but established himself as a regular in 2011–12, playing all 82 games and posting 17 points.[1][3] He signed a four-year, $12.4 million contract extension with Ottawa in September 2013.[5] However, recurring injuries, including a torn labrum in 2012–13, limited his production and consistency, leading to limited play and frequent healthy scratches during the 2015–16 season.[3] On February 9, 2016, Cowen was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of a blockbuster deal involving Dion Phaneuf, but he never played for Toronto and was placed on waivers.[6] The Maple Leafs bought out the remaining portion of his contract in June 2016.[3] Cowen signed a professional tryout agreement with the Colorado Avalanche in September 2017 but was released before the season, after which he retired from professional hockey.[3][1]Early life and junior career
Early life in Saskatoon
Jared Cowen was born on January 25, 1991, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.[2] Although born in the provincial capital, Cowen spent his early childhood in the nearby rural village of Allan, Saskatchewan, a small farming community with a population of approximately 700 residents located about 50 kilometers southeast of Saskatoon.[7] This prairie setting offered a tight-knit, community-oriented environment where family and local traditions played central roles in daily life. Cowen's family background centered around his father, Brian Cowen, who served as a teacher at Allan's combined kindergarten-to-Grade 12 school, which enrolled around 150 students.[7] Biographical accounts mention his mother as supportive of his pursuits but provide no further details on her or any siblings.[7] Growing up in this modest, agricultural locale, Cowen experienced the rhythms of rural Saskatchewan life, including long drives across open plains for various activities. Cowen's introduction to organized hockey came through the Allan Minor Hockey Association, where he first developed his skills in local minor leagues.[2] As his talent grew, he began commuting to Saskatoon for higher-level minor hockey opportunities with the Saskatoon Contacts U18 AAA team, laying the groundwork for his later transition to junior leagues.[2][7]Junior career with Spokane Chiefs
Jared Cowen was selected first overall by the Spokane Chiefs in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft, marking the team's highest pick in that lottery and signaling early promise as a towering defenseman from Saskatoon.[8][9] Cowen made his WHL debut in the 2006-07 season, appearing in six regular-season games and contributing two assists while posting a +4 rating, before adding a playoff assist in six contests as the Chiefs advanced deep into the postseason.[2] In his first full campaign during 2007-08, he established himself as a reliable presence on the blue line, skating in 68 games to record four goals and 14 assists for 18 points, along with 62 penalty minutes and a team-leading +27 plus-minus rating among defensemen; his physicality helped anchor the defense during Spokane's Memorial Cup-winning run, where he tallied two points in four games.[2] The following year, 2008-09, saw Cowen's development interrupted by a season-ending knee injury—a high-grade ACL tear and MCL sprain sustained in early February after delivering a check against the Chilliwack Bruins—limiting him to 48 games with seven goals, 14 assists, and a +15 rating.[10][2] Returning stronger in 2009-10, Cowen embraced a leadership role as the Chiefs' captain, guiding the team through 59 regular-season games with eight goals and 22 assists for 30 points, plus 74 penalty minutes and a +23 rating, while contributing two playoff points in seven games.[2] His offensive growth continued in the 2010-11 season, again as captain, where he exploded for career-high totals of 18 goals and 30 assists in 58 games, achieving 48 points, 91 penalty minutes, and an impressive +44 plus-minus, alongside 14 playoff points in 17 games as Spokane reached the WHL Finals.[2] Throughout his junior tenure, Cowen solidified his reputation as a stay-at-home defenseman with a physical, hitting-oriented style—standing 6-foot-5 and over 220 pounds—capable of delivering punishing checks while displaying improving puck-moving skills and a hard shot, though he was not limited to purely defensive duties.[11][2] Cowen's standout junior performances culminated in his selection ninth overall by the Ottawa Senators at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, validating his status as a top prospect known for his size, leadership, and two-way potential despite occasional injury setbacks.[12][2]Professional career
Ottawa Senators tenure
Cowen signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators on February 3, 2010, following his selection as the ninth overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.[5] He made his NHL debut on April 8, 2010, appearing in one game against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2009-10 season, where he recorded no points.[3] In the 2011-12 season, Cowen established himself as a full-time NHL player, appearing in all 82 games for Ottawa and contributing 5 goals and 12 assists for 17 points, ranking sixth among rookie defensemen in scoring.[3] His performance earned him consideration for the Calder Memorial Trophy, as he received four fifth-place votes in the award's balloting.[13] As a promising two-way defenseman known for his size (6-foot-5, 230 pounds) and physical play, Cowen often anchored the third pairing while providing solid defensive support.[14] The 2012-13 NHL lockout led to Cowen's assignment to the Senators' AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Senators, where he aimed to maintain competitive play.[15] However, on October 6, 2012, he suffered a torn labrum in his left hip during a game against the Albany Devils, requiring surgery on November 16 that sidelined him for six to eight months.[16] Cowen returned ahead of schedule in April 2013, playing seven regular-season games with Ottawa (1 goal) before contributing to the playoffs, where he appeared in all 10 postseason games during the first round against the Montreal Canadiens.[15] His postseason role highlighted his value as a shutdown defenseman, though the hip injury marked the beginning of ongoing mobility challenges that affected his consistency.[17] On September 14, 2013, Cowen signed a four-year contract extension with Ottawa worth $12.4 million, carrying an average annual value of $3.1 million and running through the 2016-17 season.[15] The deal reflected the organization's confidence in his potential as a top-four defenseman, despite the recent injury. In the 2013-14 season, Cowen started strongly, pairing occasionally with star defenseman Erik Karlsson to form a dynamic duo that bolstered Ottawa's blue line early on.[18] He played 68 games, recording 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points, but lingering effects from the hip surgery contributed to a mid-season dip in performance and mobility.[3] Cowen's tenure continued to show evolution from an emerging two-way player to one grappling with injuries and consistency issues in the 2014-15 season, where he appeared in 54 games and tallied 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points.[3] Often deployed on the second or third pairing, he focused more on defensive responsibilities amid team expectations for greater reliability. By the 2015-16 season, struggles intensified, with Cowen appearing in 37 games (4 assists) before the trade, amid ongoing hip issues that led to occasional benchings and ultimately sidelined him.[3] These challenges underscored a shift from high promise to a role increasingly questioned within Ottawa's defensive core.[14]Toronto Maple Leafs stint
On February 9, 2016, Jared Cowen was traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of a nine-player deal that also sent Milan Michálek, Colin Greening, Tobias Lindberg, and Ottawa's second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft to Toronto in exchange for Dion Phaneuf, Matt Frattin, Casey Bailey, Ryan Rupert, and Cody Donaghey.[19] At the time of the trade, Cowen was sidelined by a hip injury and did not appear in any games for the Maple Leafs during the 2015–16 season.[20] Following the trade, the Maple Leafs placed him on waivers on February 26, 2016, with the intention of assigning him to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, but Cowen refused to report, stating he sought other opportunities.[21] Tensions escalated off the ice as Cowen remained with the organization through the offseason amid ongoing injury concerns. On June 15, 2016, the Maple Leafs placed him on unconditional waivers for the purpose of buying out the final year of his four-year, $12.4 million contract, which carried a $3.1 million cap hit.[22] Cowen challenged the buyout, arguing that his hip injury at the time rendered it ineligible under NHL rules protecting injured players, leading to an arbitration hearing.[23] In December 2016, an independent arbitrator ruled in favor of the Maple Leafs, upholding the buyout and allowing Cowen to become an unrestricted free agent; the team gained a $650,000 cap credit for the 2016–17 season and faced a $750,000 hit the following year.[23] Reflecting on the process in 2017, Cowen described his treatment by the organization as "a joke," citing the stress of the trade, waivers, buyout dispute, and subsequent surgeries that limited his playing options.[20] This episode effectively concluded Cowen's full-time NHL career, as he did not secure another league contract thereafter.[1]Post-NHL professional attempts
Following his buyout from the Toronto Maple Leafs in December 2016, Cowen sat out the entire 2016–17 season while rehabilitating from ongoing hip issues that had sidelined him since early 2016.[20] These problems stemmed from prior surgeries on both hips, including a 2012 procedure to repair a torn labrum in his left hip, which had significantly impacted his mobility and performance.[24] As a free agent seeking to revive his career, Cowen signed a professional tryout agreement with the Colorado Avalanche in August 2017, reporting to their training camp in September.[25] He appeared in three preseason games for the Avalanche, logging limited ice time without recording any points, as the team evaluated his recovery and defensive capabilities.[26] However, Cowen was released from the PTO on September 27, 2017, without receiving a contract offer, leaving him as an unrestricted free agent.[27] With no further professional tryouts or contracts materializing after the Avalanche camp, Cowen effectively ended his playing career, his last competitive action having been in the 2015–16 NHL season. The cumulative toll of his hip injuries, which his agent described as a major hurdle overcome through modern surgical advancements but ultimately limiting his return to form, contributed to his decision to retire around 2018.[24] In a September 2017 interview, Cowen reflected on the physical and mental strain of his final NHL years, calling the period surrounding his trade and buyout "a stressful time in my life" marked by injury setbacks and uncertainty.[20]International play
World Junior Championships participation
Jared Cowen represented Canada at two IIHF World Under-20 Championships, earning silver medals both times. In the 2010 tournament held in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan, Cowen appeared in six games as an 18-year-old defenceman, recording no goals and one assist for a plus-four rating and two penalty minutes. Limited by a hip injury that affected his mobility, he played a subdued role on the blue line during Canada's run to the final, where they lost 6-5 in overtime to the United States.[28] Cowen, a 19-year-old defenceman from the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League, was selected as one of four returning players from the previous year's silver-medal team to represent Canada at the 2011 IIHF World Under-20 Championship in Buffalo, New York. His inclusion on the final 22-man roster, announced on December 15, 2010, followed a successful performance at the national junior team selection camp earlier that month. On December 19, 2010, Cowen was named an alternate captain alongside Calvin de Haan and Brayden Schenn, with Ryan Ellis serving as captain. Cowen's strong play with the Spokane Chiefs during the 2010-11 WHL season, where he served as team captain and provided physical defensive leadership, aided his selection for the tournament.[29] Throughout the seven-game tournament (including pre-tournament), Cowen embraced a prominent physical and defensive role on Canada's blue line, pairing his 6-foot-5 frame with reliable positioning to anchor the back end alongside Ryan Ellis and Erik Gudbranson. He contributed offensively with one goal—scored against Switzerland in the preliminary round—and finished with a plus-four rating while accumulating four penalty minutes. Canada's defensive structure, bolstered by Cowen's steady presence, allowed the team to outscore opponents 33–12 en route to the gold medal game.[28] Key moments highlighted Cowen's defensive prowess in the medal round, including his efforts in the 4-1 semifinal win over Finland, where he helped limit the Finns to just 22 shots, and in the gold medal final against Russia, despite the 5-3 defeat that secured silver for Canada. Recognized by head coach Don Hay as one of Canada's top three players of the tournament, Cowen's performance underscored his growth from a limited role in 2010 due to injury.[30] The tournament success further elevated Cowen's profile as the ninth overall pick of the 2009 NHL Draft, demonstrating his full recovery from a prior hip injury and readiness for professional hockey; he signed his entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators shortly after the event and made his NHL debut in the 2011-12 season.Other international appearances
Cowen's international experience began at the under-17 level when he represented Canada West at the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where the team secured a bronze medal.[31] In six games, he recorded seven assists and four penalty minutes, contributing to the defensive effort in the tournament held in Port Alberni and Parksville, British Columbia.[2] He returned for Canada West at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, helping secure another bronze medal, though specific individual stats from that event are not widely documented.[2] Later that year, Cowen earned a spot on Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Team for the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka Tournament in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, serving as an assistant captain en route to a gold medal victory.[32] He appeared in four games without recording a point but accumulated six penalty minutes, helping anchor the blueline in the 6-3 final win over Russia.[33] Prior to his NHL draft year, Cowen was selected for Team WHL in the 2008 Canada-Russia Challenge, joining teammates Jared Spurgeon and Dustin Tokarski to face the Russian Selects in exhibition games.[34] He continued this series participation in 2010, named to the roster for the SUBWAY Super Series against Russia, where he posted two assists in one game during the fall exhibitions.[35] These pre-professional events highlighted his defensive reliability in high-stakes international settings. Despite his junior success, Cowen's international resume remained confined to underage competitions, with no appearances for senior Team Canada at events such as the Olympics or IIHF World Championships, influenced by persistent injuries during his professional career.[2]Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
Cowen appeared in 249 regular season games over his NHL career with the Ottawa Senators from 2009 to 2016, accumulating 15 goals, 31 assists, 46 points, 174 penalty minutes, and a -7 plus-minus rating.[3]| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–10 | OTT | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2011–12 | OTT | 82 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 56 | -4 |
| 2012–13 | OTT | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 1 |
| 2013–14 | OTT | 68 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 45 | 0 |
| 2014–15 | OTT | 54 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 45 | -11 |
| 2015–16 | OTT | 37 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 7 |
| Total | 249 | 15 | 31 | 46 | 174 | -7 |
International competitions
Cowen participated in two IIHF World Junior Championships, representing Canada in 2010 and 2011, where his role emphasized defensive playmaking and physical presence on the blue line. He also competed for Canada West at the 2008 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, showcasing offensive capabilities from the defense position. No senior international appearances were made during his professional career.[2] The following table summarizes his international tournament statistics:| Tournament | Year | Team | GP | G | A | P | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World U-17 Hockey Challenge | 2008 | Canada West | 6 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 4 | — |
| IIHF World Junior Championship | 2010 | Canada | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +4 |
| IIHF World Junior Championship | 2011 | Canada | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +4 |
| Total | 19 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 6 | +8 |