The Habs Top 10 Prospects: #4 Jacob Fowler

Based on Canadiens US scout Billy Ryan’s fight for Fowler, inside the predraft meetings, it’s hard to imagine the Habs even picking any of the five goalies ahead of him. Ryan believed that this winning pedigree would translate well to the next level, and so far, it has been seemingly going that way. 

The next season, Fowler was the starter on a stacked Boston College team, where he registered an amazing .926 save percentage and a 2.14 GAA, backstopping the Eagles to the NCAA Championship game, where they fell short to the University of Denver Pioneers. 

The fact that Fowler didn’t win the National Championship put a chip on his shoulder, and he played even better despite Boston College losing key players to the pros. In his sophomore season with the Eagles, Fowler put up an insane .940 save percentage with a 1.63 GAA. Unfortunately, Boston College not being as strong as the year prior, resulted in Boston College falling in the Regional Finals to Denver once again. Fowler’s season earned him the Mike Richter Award as the best goalie in all of NCAA hockey.

He immediately signed his entry-level contract (which only starts next season) and a pro-tryout with the Laval Rocket to help with their Calder Cup push. In 3 regular season games with the Rocket, he posted a solid .914 save percentage with a 2.32 GAA, which is good for a goalie in his first 3 pro games. 

During the playoffs, he split games with Cayden Primeau and had a few struggles and finished with a .902 with a 2.48 GAA in 8 games. Despite the drop in his stats, his numbers were superior to Primeau’s. .878 save percentage and 3.27 GAA. With that being said, Fowler got his first playoff challenge only four games into his pro hockey career and with goalies, there will be challenges along the way. 

For the upcoming season, Fowler is expected to be the starting goaltender in Laval with a veteran backup in Kaapo Kahkonen, who will help the young 20-year-old adapt to the pro level. If injuries occur at the goaltending position, the Canadiens shouldn’t rush Fowler up, no matter how well he’s playing, as one bad game in the NHL could destroy his confidence. Goalies can be fragile with confidence, and they need more time to develop than forwards or defensemen. Therefore, it would be better if the Habs instead allow him at least a year or two without seeing any NHL action and then bring him in slowly as a 1a/1b netminder for a year before he could be considered as the team’s starter. It likely won’t be until age 25 that we know Fowler will hit his potential, but as it stands, he’s projected to be an NHL starter with the possibility that he can reach elite status. 

The uncertainty of the goaltending position for all prospects is why Fowler is not among the top 3 prospects and is instead listed at #4 in the Canadiens’ pipeline. However, he is easily the #1 goalie prospect in the system. 

Do you think Fowler will reach his potential, and how long until you see him getting NHL time?