Jared Cowen to make NHL debut

Yesterday we reported that Chiefs defenseman Jared Cowen was visiting the Ottawa Senators, but didn't realize that he'd be doing business so quickly.

The 19-year-old defenceman from Allan, Sask., will make his National Hockey League debut tonight, when the Ottawa Senators face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum (7:30 p.m., Rogers Sportsnet, Team 1200).

Cowen, the Senators' top pick (ninth overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, is being inserted into the lineup in place of Anton Volchenkov, who is being given a night off in preparation for the Stanley Cup playoffs, which begin next week.

While there was a lot of speculation that Cowen wouldn't be back next year, I'm pretty sure this seals the deal for the defenseman not returning to Spokane. Best of luck to him!