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Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Options Author
Jacob Fowler’s goaltending numbers at Boston Faculty simply pop.
This season the sophomore went 25-7-2 with a 1.63 goals-against common, a .940 save proportion and 7 shutouts. He received the Hockey East convention’s Goaltender of the 12 months award for the second season in a row, and was a runner-up for Participant of the 12 months. He additionally secured a nomination as a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, given to the highest goaltender in Division I males’s school hockey.
After reaching the championship recreation as a freshman in 2024, Fowler helped take Boston Faculty again to the NCAA match this yr. They got here only one win in need of returning to the Frozen 4.
Final week, Fowler determined to flip professional, and signing a three-year entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs, who chosen Fowler within the third spherical of the 2023 NHL Draft, additionally gave Fowler an AHL contract for the remainder of this season, permitting him to start his professional profession with the league-leading Laval Rocket.
Life can change rapidly on this enterprise. It has been a busy few weeks, to make certain, with extra to return.
Fowler might get his probability within the Rocket crease prior to anticipated. Connor Hughes was injured in Sunday’s recreation at Abbotsford, and Jakub Dobeš has been in Montreal – the place the Canadiens are on the point of returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs – since Dec. 27. Cayden Primeau has been excellent with Laval, going 19-2-2 (2.00, .924) in 24 appearances. Add the 20-year-old phenom coming off two adorned seasons of faculty play, and head coach Pascal Vincent has choices to make forward of a important weekend with highway video games in Rochester and Syracuse.
With the provision of Hughes unknown and a demanding end-of-season schedule, any assist that Fowler might present in spelling Primeau could be welcome. It might additionally present the group an opportunity to see a prime goaltending prospect get his first shot at professional competitors – one thing that has paid fast dividends for the group not as soon as however twice prior to now. Patrick Roy joined the Sherbrooke Canadiens as a 19-year-old on the finish of the 1984-85 season and took then to a Calder Cup championship. Within the spring of 2007, Carey Value was additionally 19 when he was added to the Hamilton Bulldogs’ roster; he went on to win the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as probably the most invaluable participant of the Calder Cup Playoffs after posting 15 wins, a 2.06 GAA and .936 save proportion.
In Laval, a fast journey up Autoroute 15 from downtown Montreal, Fowler’s arrival gives a jolt of pleasure for Canadiens followers who’ve a group positioned to return to the NHL postseason and a deep base of younger expertise with the first-place Rocket on the AHL stage. It’s a frenzied surroundings even in less-eventful occasions, and the depth stage in Montreal is even larger this week.
For Fowler, this isn’t school anymore. Wherever the Rocket end within the standings, they’re certain for the postseason and expectations are there for a future. They’ll clinch the North Division title this weekend, and the general league crown is inside their sights. With 5 video games to go – together with three towards the rival Belleville Senators to complete the common season – the depth will solely enhance from right here.
Fowler participated in his first apply with the Rocket on Wednesday and spoke with native media afterward.
“It’s bittersweet to go away (Boston Faculty), however I’m excited to be right here and begin the following chapter,” Fowler instructed reporters. “It’s going to take a bit of bit multiple apply to get used to, however I’m fairly assured that I’ll get adjusted quickly.”
Place Bell is likely one of the AHL’s most tough venues for guests, particularly within the postseason. With spring right here and the potential for each Montreal and Laval competing for championships, Fowler has arrived at a particular time for the group.
“I’m simply getting my toes moist right here and having fun with it. I’m actually pleased to be a part of this group.”
On the American Hockey League beat for 20 years, TheAHL.com options author Patrick Williams additionally presently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is an everyday contributor on SiriusXM NHL Community Radio. He was the recipient of the AHL’s James H. Ellery Memorial Award for his excellent protection of the league in 2016.
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