NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



 Western Hockey League

2009 NHL Top Prospect Profile - Jared Cowen, Spokane Chiefs

June 11, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Jared Cowen completed his second full season in the WHL with the Spokane Chiefs. The 18-year-old from Allan, SK, put up seven goals and 21 points with a solid +15 rating in 48 regular-season games for the Chiefs in 2008-09, but suffered a season-ending knee injury at the end of January. As a 16-year-old rookie in 2007-08, Cowen became a key fixture on the blue line in helping the Chiefs win the WHL and Memorial Cup championships.

Selected by Spokane with the first overall pick in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft, Cowen is a towering presence on the blue line who boasts a rare combination of size, strong skating ability and excellent hockey sense. At over 6' 5" and 220 lbs, Cowen has the size and strength to dominate in the defensive zone. He uses his size and reach effectively to break up passes, win battles on the boards and move opposing forwards from the front of the net. With his strong hockey sense, skating and puck skills, Cowen is also very adept at making first passes or carrying the puck out of the zone, himself. Many feel Cowen boasts plenty of offensive upside as well.

A former member of the Saskatoon Contacts of the SMAAAHL where he played alongside fellow top prospects Carter Ashton and Brayden Schenn, Cowen suited up for Team Orr at the 2009 Home Hardware CHL / NHL Top Prospects game, and also played for Team WHL at the 2008 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.

Cowen was a member of Team Saskatchewan at the 2007 Canada Winter Games, played for Team West at the 2008 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, and helped Canada's Under-18 team win Gold at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament.

Did you know...Cowen was first No. 1 overall WHL Bantam Draft pick by the Spokane Chiefs in franchise history. The team's previous highest selection was 3rd overall in 1993, when they picked Jared Hope.


• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...

Western Hockey League Stories from June 11, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central