Team Canada practiced at TD Place in Ottawa on Friday.

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London Knights forward Easton Cowan is on a 56 game regular season point streak in the Ontario Hockey League. Fifty-one of those games came after last year's World Juniors and, apparently, that's not a coincidence.

"That was kind of the start of this whole streak that he's been on," said Knights defenceman Sam Dickinson. "That's been a big fuel lighter under him for a full year now. And to get back to this point, for him, he's even more fired up for it."

Cowan looks like a man on a mission ahead of his second crack at the World Juniors. Last year in Sweden, the Toronto Maple Leafs prospect was held to one goal and one assist as Canada finished a disappointing fifth place.

"I know he's dying to get a win here and experience that winning feeling," said Team Canada assistant coach Chris Lazary. "It's his last chance at a World Juniors."

Lazary is the head coach of the Saginaw Spirit, who beat the Knights in the Memorial Cup final last season.

"There's footage of him sitting on one knee watching the celebration," Lazary recalled. "I think that stung him. He even said to me that he looked up at his parents to give the head shake like he's heartbroken. I don't think he wants that feeling again."

Cowan played a depth role with Team Canada last year. This time around he's playing on the top line with Oshawa Generals centre Cal Ritchie and Chicago Wolves winger Bradly Nadeau, and on the flank of the top power-play unit. As one of four returnees, Cowan will be counted on for leadership. He certainly set the tone in Thursday's first pre-tournament game against Switzerland. Cowan scored three goals in the 7-1 win.

What's it like to produce a hat trick in a Team Canada sweater?

"I'm pretty sure it's my first one in juniors," said Cowan, who has eight two-goal games in the OHL. "It's pretty special, but hopefully I can do it in a real game."

Canada opens the World Juniors against Finland on Boxing Day. Based on his current form, Cowan certainly looks capable of producing some big numbers.

"I'm speechless," said Owen Sound Attack goalie Carter George. "He's so good out there."

"Easton's driving that line right now," said Team Canada head coach Dave Cameron. "They were fun to watch."

Cowan was fun to watch in the OHL playoffs last season. He produced 34 points in 18 games while leading London to a title.

"I feel like I play my best hockey on the big stage," said Cowan, who was named playoff MVP. "I feel like I've always had that in me. I'm super excited to show what I have and compete night in, night out, and do whatever it takes to win a gold medal."

Cowan insists he doesn't feel pressure to produce offensively.

"I feel like I can provide more than scoring goals," he stressed. "Even last night I feel like I was hitting when I could, back checking, you know, having good tracks. I feel like my defence led to my offence. Even if I didn't have three goals, I still had a good game."

"His play without the puck is not talked about as much as it should be," said Lethbridge Hurricanes centre Brayden Yager, who is Canada's newly-named captain. "His play in the D-zone is something I've noticed is a lot better and I think his 200-foot game has really grown."

Team Canada will be leaning on Cowan's complete game and tireless work ethic in Ottawa.

"He can dominate when he's locked into a game," said Lazary. "He's a competitor. He can manipulate the outcome just based on his skill. He was dragging guys into the fight. Just an elite player. We will need him to bring that every game. We're counting on that game out of Easton."

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Cowan is used to having his play dissected thoroughly. That's........

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