The Montreal Canadiens have announced that they’ve signed goaltender Jacob Fowler to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning during the 2025-26 season. Fowler will join the Laval Rocket on an Amateur Try-Out (ATO) for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Jacob Fowler, 20, was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the third round, 69th overall, of the 2023 NHL Draft. The Melbourne, Florida, native spent the last two seasons with Boston College, going 57-13-3 with a 1.90 GAA, .932 SV%, and 10 shutouts. During the 2024-25 season, he put up a 25-7-2 record with a 1.63 GAA, .940 SV%, and seven shutouts in 35 games. He allowed only three goals or more once during the season, which came on October 12th, 2024, vs Michigan State. Fowler would go on to win a Hockey East Championship with the Eagles. He would be named to the First All-American Team (East) and the All-Rookie and All-Tournament Teams (Hockey East).
What Does This Mean for Montreal
The Montreal Canadiens will have some tough decisions to make this off-season regarding their goaltenders. Sam Montembeault will continue to be the team’s starter as he has two years left after this on his contract. Cayden Primeau and Jakub Dobes will be restricted free agents once this season ends. Both goaltenders have seen time this season in Montreal. Despite a couple of shaky starts this season, Dobes has seemed to take the reins as the backup, posting a 6-4-2 record with a 3.02 GAA, .897 SV%, and one shutout in 14 games.
Undoubtedly, the Primeau experiment will likely end in Montreal sooner rather than later. In 11 games before being sent to Laval, the 25-year-old goaltender went 2-3-1 with a 4.70 GAA, and .836SV%. He seems to have found his game again in Laval, going 19-2-1 with a 2.02 GAA, .922 SV%, and two shutouts since being sent down at the beginning of 2025. Heading into next season, I would expect Montreal to re-sign Dobes and Primeau, with Dobes continuing to be the backup. Jacob Fowler will likely split time with Primeau in Laval, allowing him to get a taste of the pro game. This will allow Montreal to play Fowler and have someone in Laval with prior experience, in case an injury arises.
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