Owen Beck earns all-star game invite, with Joshua Roy out

Earlier this month, two Montreal Canadiens future hopefuls were invited to the AHL all-star game.

Joshua Roy, who is having a stellar sophomore season earned the nod for his great all-around game. Roy didn't earn the distinction during his rookie season in 2023-2024, but he was honoured as the Rookie of the Month in October 2023. Year two has seen him keep on pace statistically to best his previous scoring totals across the board.

Unfortunately for Roy, he suffered an injury against the Utica Comets on September 17th, which will keep him out of the Rocket lineup for four to six weeks. It was a serious blow to what was looking like a year that would solidify that he is ready for a shot with the Canadiens.

Owen Beck, who has had an impressive rookie season in his own right, will fill in for Roy, a well-deserved opportunity. There isn't one standout trait in his game, but he is good at many different things. His speedy skating and mature two-way game are his calling card, and his shooting skills are NHL-calibre.

Logan Mailloux, I will touch on quickly, though I wrote an article about his all-star invite recently. He has all the tools, in my opinion, to develop into a bona fide top four NHL defender. Where his true potential will come through, is if he can improve his defending.

He has the talent, and skills to go to the AHL all-star game in consecutive seasons. The shot, the mobility and his physical play in the dirty areas are all translatable traits. Mailloux stands six-foot-three and weighs 212 lbs, which the Canadiens could use.

Back to Beck, though. The Peterborough, Ontario., native has skated in 39 games for the Rocket this season, recording 10 goals, and 16 assists. Beck, who wasn't a prolific goal scorer in the Ontario Hockey League, has shown a lot of promise, with a noticeably improved shot.

I think it will be a great opportunity to see what areas of Beck's game are most impressive. He isn't the type of player, who will have a highlight reel like Ivan Demidov, stickhandling in a phone booth. Nor does he have elusive skating and edgework like Lane Hutson.

But Beck plays hard every shift, and his attention to the little details is what allows him to thrive. He is smart and reads and plays well, which paired with his swift skating, will eventually be a welcomed addition to the Habs lineup. There will undoubtedly be some movement when he arrives ready for an NHL spot because there will be too many centres.

I think he and Oliver Kapanen could challenge for the fourth-line role next October, and it could ultimately come down to one of them.

Jacob Fowler, folks. Wow!

Jacob Fowler was back to his old self on Friday night, in a cross-town battle against the Boston University Terriers. He made some ten-bell saves, and though he had plenty of goal support, his brilliance ensured the Terriers didn't gain any momentum. The sophomore goaltender earned his 16th win of the season, improving his record to 16-3-1.

The Canadiens prized goalie of the future, has been brilliant since entering the NCAA, and his ability to make ridiculous saves has continued. His confidence, not cockiness comes through with each desperation save. Fowler stopped Terriers forward Shane Lachance point-blank towards the end of the third frame, with the Eagles up 4-2.

He stopped Lachance not one, not two, but three times, and he didn't look uncomfortable or like a fish out of water. Fowler stayed calm, and square to the play, and while down, he kept his trapper in position. It could be construed as a desperation save, but he didn't seem frazzled by the situation at all.

Earlier in the game, Fowler was on one side of his net trying to track a puck right in front of his crease. Lachance made a great backhand pass to the left faceoff circle, and hit Chicago Blackhawks 2022 fifth-round selection, Ryan Greene. Green slinged the puck toward that net, and Fowler moved laterally and stopped the puck.