Montreal Canadiens: NCAA season's end totem pole

The Montreal Canadiens NCAA affiliated prospects regular season came to an end recently, so focus shifts to the playoffs.

But, before the playoff matchups commence, I'd like to dive into the statistics, and what each of the Habs prospects' short-term future might look like. Montreal has a goaltender in the system who started the season in the QMJHL, then ended up in the BCHL, and now he is headed to the NCAA for the 2025-26 season.

They have a potential NHL starter, destined for a successful career, and a possible first line centre. Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton will have decisions to make during the offseason, and some may very well impact the Laval Rocket, if not the Canadiens. There are also two forwards, with depth NHL potential, and a possible addition to the Rocket blueline next season.

Without further adieu, lets dive into the prospects representing the Canadiens organization in the NCAA. What their regular season looked like, and ultimately determine what each player's 2025-26 season should resemble, ie where they will play. I will consider what is best for the prospect, without any bias induced by my greed, in wanting the two top tier representatives to turn pro now.

I know that development is the most important aspect of a successful hockey organization, especially true for the National Hockey League. It's a dog eat dog league, and the teams that draft well, and support that with great player development staff, ultimately thrive. It allows them to be competitive on the ice, and use assets to address lineup weaknesses if necessary.

So the slow and steady approach, a tried and true method, is the wisest decision for these prospects to be brought along,

Jacob Fowler

If I had to guess, I would say that Jacob Fowler is probably the closest of all the Habs NCAA prospects to being pro ready. Fowler is big, and athletic and his lateral mobility is impressive, he also has quick hands, and tremendous core strength to remain upright to cut off angles. After two dominant regular seasons with the Boston College Eagles, I think that Fowler could be a good option between the pipes for Laval in 2025-26.

But before he thinks about a pro contract, Fowler's focused first on the Frozen Four and winning the NCAA championship.

Fowler's statistics: Jacob Fowler, 20, a native of Melbourne, Florida, posted a 24-5-2 record in his sophomore season. The six-foot-two, 214-pound goaltender also boasts a 1.62 (GAA) and .941 (SV%), to go along with his seven shutouts.

Michael Hage

Developmentally, Sam Harris is probably a bit ahead of Michael Hage, and that is normal, because Harris is 21, and playing in his second NCAA season. But Hage is Hage, and that is why I have him ranked ahead of Harris on my list. Now that that is out of the way, let's dive into Hage.

Hage, 19, is a right-shot center, who the Canadiens selected 22 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. The Michigan Wolverine freshman had a tremendous regular season, scoring 34 points in 33 NCAA regular season contests. But his production dipped significantly after the halfway mark of the season, and for that reason I believe he would benefit from another season with the Wolverines.

I think that Hage is going to open up so many plays for the Habs, and his transition game will be a fantastic compliment for Ivan Demidov, Lane Hutson, Cole Caufield, you get the idea. Allowing Hage to have a big offseason, and dominate in his sophomore season with the Wolverines would be huge for his growth and confidence.

Sam Harris

Sam Harris, 21, was drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, after his freshman season with the University of Denver Pioneers caught the eye of Kent Hughes. A native of San Diego, California, Harris scored 14-7-21 in 42 contests. Harris and the Pioneers were both NCAA champions, and NCAC champions in 2023-24.

I think that Harris would benefit from one more season with the Pioneers, but after a breakout season, he could argue he is ready to turn pro. In 35 games, Harris scored 20-13-33 and that shot is something of a force, making him a very underrated but intriguing prospect for the Canadiens. I expect that he will develop into a fantastic middle-six forward at the NHL level as his development floor, but his ceiling is a top-six winger.

I like his netfront game, and I think that his Gallagher-like tenacity, and grit will serve the 5-foot-11, 185-pound left wing just fine in his NHL pursuit.

Emmett Croteau

Emmett Croteau, 21, is a six-foot-four, 209-pound goaltender selected by the Canadiens, with their 162 overall draft pick in the sixth round of the 2022 draft. Croteau, a native of Bonnyville, Alberta, played his draft season with the Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL, posting an 18-10-0 record, along with a 2.46 (GAA) and .917 (SV%).

Croteau made the jump to the NCAA in 2023-24, but the results weren't so great with the Clarkson University Golden Knights (2-3-0 record in six contests).

His sophomore season, however, with the Dartmouth College Big Green has been quite a success, and a definite reason for optimism for the 21-year-old. In 16 games, Croteau has a record of 11-4-0, along with a 2.11 (GAA), and a .899 (SV%).

Logan Sawyer

Logan Sawyer, 18, was drafted in the third round of the 2024 draft, with the 78th overall selection by the Canadiens. He is a six-foot-one, 174-pound left winger, currently playing for the Providence College Friars, finishing the regular season with 6-10-16 in 35 games. Sawyer is a strong skater, who has tremendous puck skills, and the vision to put them to good use.

I would label Sawyer as a dual-threat, though he is more of a natural passer than shooter, at 18 years old, he tremendous room for growth. I think he will have a tremendous offseason, and show up at camp for the Friars, ready to tackle his sophomore season. I like Sawyer, and I think he could play in Laval as soon as the 2026-27 season.

For now, he will benefit from the NCAA playoffs, and then a big offseason, before playing another season of college hockey. He has great size, skating and is an intelligent player, I think he could become a good top nine NHL winger, if all goes right.

Luke Mittelstadt

Luke Mittelstadt is a depth NHL defenseman-potential left defender for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. As an over-ager, the Canadiens drafted Mittelstadt, who played his draft season with the UofM, after he scored 5-16-21 in 38 games. Mittelstadt has been steady for the Golden Gophers, but I get the feeling that he will need a couple of seasons in the American Hockey League, before really pursuing an NHL role.

Mittelstadt is the younger brother of Casey, a centerman for the Boston Bruins, and like his brother, he has late bloomer qualities. That is why he was drafted, despite being 20 years old. And the now 22-year-old just missed out (two points) on posting three consecutive 20-point seasons. Not bad for a seventh-round pick.

The left defender is five-foot-eleven, 174-pounds, and could be a nice addition to the Laval Rocket next year, if he foregoes his senior year to turn pro after his junior season ends.

Quentin Miller

Quentin Miller didn't play any games in the NCAA in 2024-25, and that is because he spent his recovering from an injury, and then searching for a junior team. The Rimsouski Oceanic moved on from Miller, and he chose to play in the British Columbia Hockey League this year, as he needed a role mid-season, and they needed a goalie.

Miller's results have been pretty solid (4-2-0) but the issue is that even with a solid (GAA) and (SV%), he was limited to just six games this season. Because of that, I feel like he is a project goaltender for the Canadiens, who might take three or four years to round out his game. Thankfully, the Canadiens 2023 fourth round pick has signed a pact with the University of Denver Pioneers, to play his freshman season in 2025-26.

The Montreal, Quebec native stands six-foot-three, weighing in at 187-pounds, which is pretty on-par with ideal NHL goalie size. Montreal is infamous for having success with Quebec-born goalies, so they likely won't mind waiting on Miller. Jacob Fowler chose the NCAA route, after dominating the United States Hockey League, and while they are different players, the NCAA speaks for itself.

All-in-all the Canadiens have some pretty solid NCAA prospects, and they could add a few more to the fold in June at the draft.