Jacob Fowler Is on Track to Be the Montreal Canadiens’ Next Franchise Goaltender

The Montreal Canadiens have a long history of having legendary goalies standing between the pipes for them. Georges Vézina has a trophy named in his honour. Jacques Plante, Ken Dryden, and Patrick Roy led the Canadiens to multiple Stanley Cup victories. Jose Theodore and Carey Price both won the Hart Memorial Trophy, an achievement that has only happened eight times in NHL history (A group that also includes Plante). The Canadiens' strong history of elite goalies tending the goal for them puts a lot of pressure on whoever is next. Samuel Montembeault is the goalie of the present, but there is another goalie in the Canadiens organization that people think could be the goalie of the future.

Jacob Fowler was the Canadiens' third-round pick in 2023 and has quickly blossomed into one of the best goalie prospects in the league. Fowler was playing for the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL when the Canadiens drafted him in 2023, helping the Phantoms win the Clark Cup that season. Fowler's stock began to skyrocket when he made the switch to the NCAA to play for Boston College. For the two years Fowler was with Boston College, he was the most dominant goalie in the NCAA.

In his first season with Boston College, he appeared in 39 games with a 32-6-1 record, recording a 2.14 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. His 32 wins set an NCAA record for most wins by a goalie in their freshman season. The NCAA named Fowler to the All-Hockey East Rookie Team, along with the All-Hockey East First Team and All-USCHO First Team. Fowler, as a rookie, won the Hockey East Goaltending Champion and was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, given to the best goalie in college hockey. His outstanding play helped Boston College make the NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament final. Fowler quickly made his third-round draft grade look like an absolute steal for the Canadiens.

If you thought Fowler's first season with Boston College was spectacular, his numbers in his sophomore season look like video game numbers. In 35 starts, Fowler went 25-7-2, with a 1.63 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage. Fowler earned All-Hockey East First Team and All-USCHO First Team honours for the second consecutive season. He once again won the Hockey East Goaltending Champion, but this time added the Mike Richter Award to his trophy cabinet. He finished his collegiate career with Boston College as their all-time leader in goals against average with 1.90, ahead of players like Thatcher Demko, Cory Schneider, and Joseph Woll.

When Fowler finished his season with Boston College, the Canadiens immediately signed him to his entry-level deal and brought him over to play for the Laval Rockets right away. He appeared in three games for the Rockets at the end of their season, posting a 2–1 record with a 2.32 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. With Cayden Primeau injured to start the playoffs, Fowler was entrusted with the starting position until he got back. His stats dipped slightly, recording a 3–3 record with a 2.48 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. Trying to adjust to a new league following a full season and a playoff run in the NCAA would be tough for anyone, but Fowler showed why he could be the Canadiens' goalie of the future.

The Canadiens traded Primeau to the Carolina Hurricanes the night before the NHL Draft, likely meaning Fowler will be the man for the Rockets this season. The Canadiens signed veteran goalie Kaapo Kahkonen this offseason to provide them with insurance in case of injury, allowing Fowler to remain with the Rockets for the season to continue his development. The Habs' current starter, Montembeault, is under contract for another two seasons, which would give us an indication of when the team believes Fowler will be ready to take over in the net.

If everything goes to plan, we probably will not see Fowler at all this season, but instead closer to the end of next season. You do not want to rush him into the league too soon. We saw what that looks like in recent seasons with the Buffalo Sabres with another NCAA standout, Devon Levi. The Canadiens are not in a position where they need a goalie right now, as Montembeault has proven to be a quality NHL goalie. The Habs have the luxury of letting Fowler develop properly in the AHL, and should take full advantage of that. Now that he will be playing with the Rockets, Canadiens fans will be able to keep a close eye on their future number one goalie. Fowler is on his way, but you will have to wait a little bit longer before we see him in the net for the Canadiens.