The Montreal Canadiens already have some impressive young talent making an impact at the NHL level. We have seen a prime example of this with the play of Lane Hutson in his rookie season. Russian prospect Ivan Demidov also looks to make a sizeable impact next year. However, a player who may be one of the biggest parts of the team’s future just signed a contract with the Canadiens. Goaltending prospect Jacob Fowler has finished his NCAA career and has signed his entry-level contract with the Canadiens. After some speculation of Fowler potentially returning for another college season, general manager Kent Hughes was ultimately able to ink him to a deal. Fowler now heads to Laval to join the Rocket and begin his pro career.
Montreal Canadiens Jacob Fowler
Jacob Fowler’s Dominant Career
The Montreal Canadiens drafted Jacob Fowler in the third-round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, 69th overall. He has been a bonafide winner at every level throughout his career. The 20-year-old netminder is coming off a dominant college season with Boston College. He was arguably the best goalie at the collegiate level this season boasting a 25-7-2. Fowler’s record goes along with an impressive .940 save percentage and a 1.63 goals-against average. Ultimately Boston College fell short of the championship but nonetheless, Fowler proved his merit this season. He has nothing left to prove at the college hockey level individually and a move to pro hockey makes too much sense.
Immediate Impact
The final stretch of this season will be all about Fowler finding his footing at the professional level. With the Canadiens in the stretch drive of the playoffs, they will be leaning heavily on Samuel Montembeault. Rookie Jakub Dobes is currently serving as Montembeault’s backup, and that likely won’t change this season. Dobes has had an up-and-down start to his career but has been solid enough to remain in Montreal.
Fowler has committed to spending the rest of the season in Laval after signing an amateur tryout. The current starter for the Rocket is 25-year-old Cayden Primeau. Primeau began the year in Montreal but after a horrid start, he was sent down to Laval. It’s been night and day for Primeau since going down to the AHL as he’s been outstanding in the minors this year. He holds a 19-2-1 record to go along with a .922 save percentage and a 2.02 goals-against average. His play has helped vault Laval to the top of the standings and they are currently one of the favourites for the Calder Cup.
As for Fowler, it’s hard to envision him immediately getting the starting role with Primeau playing so well and Laval being a contender. With the season winding down however, head coach Pascal Vincent may opt to give Fowler some starts and keep Primeau fresh for the postseason. Jacob Fowler will likely get a couple starts to get his feet wet at the pro level down the stretch.
Fowler’s Future in Montreal
After the loss of Carey Price, the Canadiens goaltending situation has been complicated. The team has been in search of his successor ever since his departure. Jacob Fowler may be the answer. Montembeault is currently doing a solid job as the teams starter, but long-term he likely isn’t the answer at 28 years old. He has two seasons beyond this year left on his deal making him the perfect stop gap for Fowler. Jakub Dobes will also have something to say in the matter as he develops in Montreal over the next couples seasons. However, Fowler looks to be the team’s goaltender of the future.
We have seen college success not translate to the NHL for previous Habs goalie prosects, such as Cayden Primeau. However, Fowler is the most promising goalie the Habs have had since Carey Price. His calmness and composure make him capable of handling the pressures of the Montreal market. His confidence also makes him stand out from the pack. He will likely spend all of next season in Laval and maybe even two seasons. However, beyond that we could see him in the Canadiens crease. Fowler has all the tools to be a starter at the NHL level and with his pro career beginning, now is the time to prove it.
Main Photo Credit: Eric Canha – Imagn Images
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