Jacob Fowler eliminated from the NCAA Championship !

The University of Denver eliminated Boston College and Jacob Fowler in the quaterfinals of the NCAA tournament by a score of 3-1. The team, led by Minnesota Wild defenseman Zeev Buium, has now qualified for the Frozen Four, which will begin on April 10, 2025, in St. Louis and will go against Western Michigan in the semifinals. While he has not yet confirmed his intention to turn pro, Montreal Canadiens prospect Jacob Fowler is expected to make a decision in the coming days.

Jacob Fowler: Laval or Montreal?

With Boston College’s elimination from the NCAA tournament (N.B. Sam Harris of the Montreal Canadiens plays for Denver), the focus now shifts to the future of top prospects like Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals), Gabriel Perreault (New York Rangers), and Jacob Fowler (Montreal Canadiens). These elite prospects will now be closely monitored for their NHL entry-level contract signings.

The Montreal Canadiens are certainly considering signing Jacob Fowler to an entry-level contract. While he may not necessarily see game action, he could practice with the team for the remainder of the season, as he is regarded as one of the top goaltending prospects among NHL organizations. The option of sending him to the AHL’s Laval Rocket remains on the table as well, despite Cayden Primeau’s strong performances and the team’s goal of finishing first in the AHL standings. However, if this option is chosen, his entry-level contract will have to start next year, and he will have to sign an ATO for this year.

Regardless of the decision made by the goaltender and the organization that drafted him in 2023, the Canadiens’ goaltending depth has just taken a significant step forward. That said, Fowler is unlikely to secure a regular NHL spot without completing at least two full AHL seasons. However, with Samuel Montembeault, Jakub Dobes, and Jacob Fowler in the system, the Canadiens seem well-positioned for the future.

An Outstanding College Career

Fowler was selected by the Montreal Canadiens with the 69th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. In his first NCAA season (2023-24), he posted a 32-6-1 record, a .926 save percentage, and a 2.14 goals-against average. His stellar performances earned him numerous accolades, including a spot on the AHCA East First-Team All-American and a nomination as one of the three finalists for the Mike Richter Award, given to the NCAA’s best goaltender.

In the 2024-25 season, Jacob Fowler continued to dominate, finishing with a 25-7-2 record, a 1.62 goals-against average, and a .940 save percentage, including seven shutouts. These statistics solidified his status within the Montreal Canadiens’ organization and once again drew attention for individual NCAA honors. The prospect won the Hockey East Goaltender of the Year award for the second consecutive season and was named to his conference’s First All-Star Team.

Jacob Fowler’s Season Analysis

To conclude, here’s an excerpt from my colleague’s analysis of Jacob Fowler’s season:

Jacob Fowler is projected as a potential 1B goaltender in the NHL. He has several attributes that could help him reach this level, including his rebound control, anticipation, and composure in net. However, some concerns remain about his ability to handle a high volume of dangerous shots in a single game. So far, he has rarely been tested in situations requiring multiple lateral movements or sequences of quick reactions in a short period. Therefore, it will be crucial to monitor his adaptation to a faster and more demanding level of play.

Two major risks have been identified in his development: the possibility that he struggles when exposed to a higher workload and the concern that he may lose energy throughout a game when required to move more frequently. These factors will need to be closely observed as he transitions to professional hockey, particularly in the AHL.

— Mathieu Paradis