Montreal Canadiens: Jacob Fowler Gives Reason For Hope In The Habs Crease

The history of the Montreal Canadiens has been one that has seen plenty of brilliant goaltenders who have come and gone.

Carey Price, for better or for worse, should be a name on the list. He never won a Stanley Cup championship, however, prior to his injury in the playoffs at the hands of New York Rangers clown Chris Kreider, the Habs were looking like a Stanley Cup bound train, that had Price playing out of his mind.

There’s also the Stanley Cup Final run in what would end up being the nail in the proverbial coffin of his playing career. He was the main reason the team was able to even get out of the first round, let alone make it all the way to the final round in 2021. Despite having no cup rings to show for it, he has done everything else.

Long story short, Price belongs on any list of the Habs’ greatest goalies of all time. I will take that one step further in saying that he should be right there with Patrick Roy, Ken Dryden, Jacques Plante and the two Georges. Hainsworth and Vezina.

They all deserve their flowers, and that is significant, especially considering that they were largely the backbone of the Canadiens’ stretches of dominance. As, the winningest franchise in NHL history, with 24 Stanley Cup champions. Don’t get me wrong, the rosters were a strength, but the goalies deserve their praise as well.

Montreal has been lucky enough to keep turning out starting goaltenders, and with Price done. The next man up becomes important, and there are a couple of guys in the mix. Jakub Dobes and Cayden Primeau are looking to make some noise at the pro level this season. And the Habs have some options from the past two drafts.

Yevgeni Volokhin and Quentin Miller have been playing exceptionally well in their respective leagues. The Russian MHL, and The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Both look like guys who should be monitored, but there’s one guy who has stood out from the pack for all the right reasons.

Enter Jacob Fowler

You can’t put too many eggs in your basket when assessing a player, based simply on their character and the way they handle themselves. Who said that? It’s true, in a way, you want the kid to be a hockey player, who has high character. But that character – from dealing with adversity – allows a player to develop differently, with a chip on their shoulder.

It goes beyond the competitive edge that you would expect from an NHL talent, it’s almost like a flame that once it gets ignited, can’t be burnt out. Fowler revealed in draft interview footage that he had a serious chip on his shoulder because he was passed over during both the CHL and USHL during his draft year. It stung him, but his drive and passion to get better were two strong foundational attributes that kept him in check.

Undeterred, but obviously very bothered, Fowler made his way into the USHL, and he had a lot to say. The Youngstown Phantoms took a chance on Fowler, and he never looked back. The Melbourne, FL native played two seasons in the USHL and piled up the awards, capped off by the Clark Cup Championship. Along with playoff MVP honours.

For all these reasons, the Canadiens fell in love with his character, and his brilliant play in the USHL was the final icing on the cake. Fowler was their guy, and the Boston College Eagles were where he was going to show Kent Hughes and co the kind of player that he is.

Poised, methodical and positionally aware – the lighter and stronger Fowler, makes routine saves look simple with his quickness. The confidence Fowler has in his ability is precisely what elevates him to such a high playing level.

Fowler Looks Like Future NHL Starter

The Canadiens have a wonky three goalie system right now, and it’s anybodies guess who is going to be dealt, extended and glued in the backup role. It doesn’t appear that they are committed to any of the three goalies – Jake Allen, Cayden Primeau or Samuel Montembeault. It seems that the Habs have belief in a young goaltender to sit atop the Canadiens starting goaltender throne.

Fowler is staking his claim to the throne, and if he keeps this play up, he could win goaltender of the year, and rookie of the year honours. His team looks dynamic, and he has been a stud, this team has belief brewing. Fowler might just be the guy to push this squad towards a championship.

He knows the Habs need a starter who will be ready in the next few seasons, and they won’t rush Fowler. But when he is ready, it seems likely that he will have every opportunity to turn pro and work his way onto the Canadiens. Loaded with character, and a desire to keep getting better drive this young man, who’s strong work ethic will serve him well.

The future appears bright for the Canadiens future, the blueline is well on its way and the goaltending seems stocked. I’m not suggesting to refrain from picking other goalies, you have to use assets to your advantage. But adding a few top line, minimum top six projected, elite potential forwards to help the team build the offensive attack for the Martin St. Louis coached Montreal Canadiens.

It’s coming together, and Fowler is just fine on the dark side in Boston. Weirdly enough, with him, Luke Tuch and Lane Hutson, many Habs fans are cheering for Boston to have success in hockey. Add Macklin Celebrini into the mix and the Habs are cooking.

Jacob Fowler manning the grill, as the Habs future number one goaltender.

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