Cousins was the Flyers’ third round pick in the 68th overall spot at the Draft in Minnesota.

“I think I bring some grit to my game and some playmaking ability,” said Cousins moments after being drafted. “I think I have a good offensive upside that not too many players have and I can bring that to the Philadelphia Flyers.

That offensive upside saw him explode for a career-high in goals (35), assists (53) and points (88) in 65 games in his third and most recent year with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.

He led the Greyhounds in all three offensive categories and ended up tying for sixth overall in the OHL with his 88 points and sixth with his 53 assists.

Cousins also found consistency in his game during this past season with Soo. Among his 65 games, 28 of them were multi-point games and he put together a nine-game point streak and eight-game point streak at separate times during the season, while also improving his plus-minus rating by 15 points.

Not only can Cousins put points up on the board, but also he’s that gritty forward that often fits well into an Orange & Black sweater.

“He’s an energy player. Good skills, speed and just a highly competitive kid,” said Holmgren after selecting Cousins at the Draft. “He’s one of those guys that gets underneath the other team’s skin a little bit too.”

That helped the 5’11’’, 177-pound forward earn his first professional contract when he inked an entry-level deal with the Flyers on Mar. 26.

Shortly afterwards, Cousins made his professional hockey debut with the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, on Mar. 31.