‘I Was Actually Heartbroken When I Saw That’: Easton Cowan and Maple Leafs Prospects React to Wes Clark’s Departure to the Penguins

Easton Cowan is one of several prospects who will miss former Toronto Maple Leafs Director of Amateur Scouting Wes Clark.

Speaking to reporters including TSN’s Mark Masters, Cowan spoke about Clark leaving the organization earlier this month to become the Director of Player Personnel.

“Yeah, I was actually heartbroken when I saw that,” Cowan said on Monday. “He was one of the guys who believed in me and drafted me. It’s really unfortunate, I sent him a text. He’s still sending me motivational quotes and still helping me out.”

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Related: Why Former Maple Leafs Director of Scouting Boss Wes Clark Departed the Club to Take on a VP Role With the Penguins

Clark oversaw the last few drafts for the Maple Leafs but followed Kyle Dubas to Pittsburgh just over a year after the former Leafs GM didn’t have his contract renewed in Toronto.

Dubas became President and GM of the Penguins shortly after departing Toronto in 2023.

Related: Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan Details Timeline of Events That Led to Kyle Dubas’ Dismissal as General Manager

“It’s hard to say no to a good job so I’m just happy for him and hopefully see him down the road at some point.”

Clark sending Cowan motivational quotes comes as no surprise given the Penguins employee shared a clip from an Andrew Huberman podcast shortly after his hiring in Pittsburgh became public.

Related: Wes Clark Shares Clip Hinting at Reason for Departing Maple Leafs

Clark also helped the Leafs in drafting 6-foot-4 defenseman Noah Chadwick, who was selected in the sixth round (185th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft.

“It sucks to see him go, he reached out which was really nice of him,” Chadwick said of Clark’s departure. “His message (to me) was on the daily improvement. To never be satisfied, especially getting to the NHL. It’s (not) about getting a job, it’s about keeping it.”

Cowan and Chadwick are in Plymouth, Michigan as part of Team Canada’s entry into the World Junior Summer Showcase.