Recent hate comments towards Team Canada's and Leafs' Easton Cowan have gotten completely out of control after he was the subject of a horrific play. The disappointing Team Canada appearance at the 2025 World Juniors in Ottawa finally ended in full, <a href='https://www.sportsnet.ca/world-juniors/article/canada-eliminated-by-czechia-in-quarterfinals-of-world-juniors/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>with a 4-3 loss to Team Czechia on Thursday</a>. Back-to-back years now would see Canada leave the tournament without a medal. The reasons for this are many, from roster construction to coaching decisions to disciplinary problems, and officiating. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/TSN_Sports/status/1875017123749355761'> </a></blockquote></div> Perhaps <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/team-usa-player-completely-disrespects-leafs-easton-cowan-after-he-costs-team-canada-the-game' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>no prospect has endured sharper scrutiny to this point in the tournament than Toronto Maple Leafs</a> prospect Easton Cowan. Arguably the most pivotal moment of the game came when Easton Cowan made the wrong play on a 2-on-0 fast break, a missed opportunity that perhaps made a difference in the outcome. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/millerthegoat9/status/1874983813610385752'> </a></blockquote></div> Certainly, many have questioned his decision, but that's unfair for any one player when the entire team has underperformed. More unfortunately, Cowan has come in for online abuse, which is highly unfair to level on any 19-year-old player. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/BigFlamesGuy/status/1875024051862933824'> </a></blockquote></div> Cowan wasn't perfect, he took some undisciplined penalties, and his continued usage in a top-six role throughout the tournament has contributed to some of the team's struggles. But given his experience and stage of development, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/maple-leafs-top-prospect-breaks-his-silence-following-online-attacks-by-angry-team-canada-fans' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>he's taken excess and undue criticism for that fact</a>. It's ironic now that this torturous experience is what might serve to better prepare <a href='https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/player/easton-cowan-8484158' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Cowan</a> for life as a Toronto Maple Leaf, an organization that the entire NHL seems to have in its crosshairs and never stops crucifying. If he can emerge from this with his confidence still intact, and if that refocusing inspires him through the rest of his season in London, it would also prepare him for the immense pressure that will come along with playing in Toronto.