Eric Cowieson

Eric Cowieson

Multi Hall of Famer!  

Eric Cowieson had a storied lacrosse career. Introduced to lacrosse at the age of peewee, he played for North Burnaby. His first year of junior level lacrosse Eric played for the British Columbia team which placed third in the Canada Summer Games in 1973. The next four seasons Eric played for the Burnaby Cablevision team which included winning a Minto Cup in 1977. Recognized for being a strong defensive player, Cowieson scored 88 goals and 153 assists for 241 points during his 104 game Junior “A” career.

Eric went on to play 18 seasons of Senior level lacrosse with the New Westminster Salmonbellies which included holding the role of team captain for the last 14 seasons.

Amongst his accomplishments, at the end of his playing career, Eric Cowieson holds three Western Lacrosse Association record – most total games played (634) most playoff games (231). His career included scoring 385 goals along with 660 assists for a total of 1045 points. He was a league all-star three times, a league Most Valuable Player in 1982 and a Mann Cup Most Valuable Player in 1987.

Eric played with four Mann Cup championship teams (1981, 1986, 1989, 1991). By the end of his playing career, he held two Mann Cup records – most series played (11) and most games played (62).

Recognized for being a gentlemanly player, Eric Cowieson was deeply committed to playing, seldom missing a game and often playing injured including playing in all six games of the Mann Cup against Six Nations with a punctured lung. He played in 161 consecutive games between May 1984 and May 1988. 

In a sport where goal scorers are recognized and valued, Eric Cowieson was considered a star for his unbridled commitment to being the best he could every single game he played. Team mates and opposition players regarded Eric Cowieson as a quiet leader who played with heart. Eric was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.