Jacob Fowler

Jacob Fowler (born November 24, 2004) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the third round, 69th overall, by the Canadiens in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Early years

Originally beginning his minor hockey career at forward, Fowler would make the full-time transition to goaltender prior to age 10. As a youth, he played with the Florida Alliance based in Estero, Florida, a three-plus hour commute from his hometown of Melbourne. Thereafter, Fowler spent two seasons with the Youngstown Phantoms of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Appearing in 18 total games over the course of the 2021–22 season, he posted a 11–4–1 record along with a 2.18 goals against average (GAA) and a .927 save percentage. The following season, Fowler played in 40 games, leading all USHL goaltenders in wins, GAA and save percentage respectively. During that year's playoffs, he posted an 8–1–0 record, with a 1.36 GAA and .952 save percentage. Fowler then went 3–0–0 in the championship round with a 0.64 GAA, .976 save percentage and a 22-save shutout in the final game to help guide the Phantoms to their first Clark Cup in program history. He was subsequently named the Clark Cup Most Outstanding Player. Following an outstanding season, he was named to the All-USHL First team, as well as earning both USHL Goaltender of the Year and Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year distinctions.

On June 29, 2023, Fowler was selected in the third round, 69th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

Collegiate

Fowler began his collegiate career at Boston College for the 2023–24 season. He started all six games for the Eagles in the month of October, posting a 5–1–0 record which ranked second in Hockey East and sixth nationally with an .833 winning percentage, earning Hockey East Goaltender of the Month honors. Fowler subsequently made eight starts for the Eagles in November, and was named Hockey East Goaltender of the Month for the second consecutive month. On November 18, 2023, he recorded his first career NCAA shutout in a game against UConn. Collectively, Fowler finished Hockey East conference play with a 19–3–1 record, ranking first in both wins (19) and save percentage (.925), as well as third in GAA (2.20), and was recognized as Hockey East Goaltending Champion.

During the 2024 Hockey East men's ice hockey tournament, he made 62 saves and allowed just three goals between the Hockey East semifinals and championship games, helping the Eagles capture their 12th Hockey East tournament title, and was named to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team. Fowler registered his 31st win of the season during the regional finals of the 2024 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament, setting an NCAA record for wins by a freshman, surpassing the previous high of 30 set by Al Montoya during the 2002–03 season. For his efforts, he was named to the All-Hockey East First Team and All-Hockey East Rookie Team. He was likewise named a AHCA East First Team All-American and selected as a top-three finalist for the Mike Richter Award. Overall, Fowler finished his freshman campaign with a 32–6–1 record, ranking first across the NCAA in winning percentage (.855), fourth in save percentage (.926) and eighth in GAA (2.14).

Through eight games to begin his sophomore season, Fowler held a 7–1 record, along with an 1.26 GAA and a .950 save percentage. On November 15, 2024, in a game against UConn, he was assessed a match penalty and was ejected after delivering a blocker punch to Huskies forward Tristan Fraser after the foregoing scored a goal against him. Fowler was subsequently suspended for one game as a result of his actions. In his return on November 22 versus Northeastern, he recorded his fourth shutout of the 2024–25 season. In January 2025, Fowler, along with teammates Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault, were longlisted as recipient of the Hobey Baker Award recognizing the top NCAA Division I men's ice hockey player. After finishing the 2024–25 season with a 25–7–2 record, ranking second across the NCAA in GAA (1.63) and shutouts (7), as well as third in save percentage (.940), he earned All-Hockey East First Team, AHCA East First Team All-American, as well as Hockey East Goaltending Champion distinction for a second straight year. His 1.63 GAA was the lowest ever by an Eagles goaltender, while his seven shutouts were the third most registered in single season. In April 2025, Fowler edged out fellow netminders Trey Augustine (Michigan State), Albin Boija ( UMaine) and Alex Tracy ( Minnesota State) to win the Mike Richter Award as the top goalie in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey. With this, he joined Thatcher Demko, the 2016 recipient, as the only winners in Boston College program history.

Professional

On April 4, 2025, Fowler agreed to a three-year, entry-level deal with the Montreal Canadiens. He was initially assigned on an amateur tryout (ATO) basis to join the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket, for the remainder of the 2024–25 season. On April 12, Fowler would make his professional debut, posting 25 saves in a 2–1 win over the Syracuse Crunch. Laval would finish the regular season tied with Syracuse for the fewest goals allowed, but Fowler had not played enough games to qualify as a co-recipient of the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award.

Following an injury to Canadiens starting goaltender Sam Montembeault amidst the opening round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, Cayden Primeau was recalled by Montreal to serve as their backup goaltender, resulting in Fowler assuming Laval's starter role for their first round Calder Cup playoffs series against the Cleveland Monsters. He made his AHL playoff debut on April 30, backstopping the Rocket to a 3–2 victory. Thereafter, Fowler recorded his first professional shutout in a 4–0 win during Game 2.

International play

Internationally, Fowler first represented United States junior team at the 2023 World Junior A Challenge, capturing gold and earned player of the game honors in the championship final. Fowler was again named to his country's national junior team to compete at the 2024 World Junior Championships. He won all three games he started during tournament play en route to a gold medal victory.

Personal life

Fowler was born to parents Kerri and Jay, both whom work as lawyers. He has one sibling, a brother named Jay Jay.

Prior to embarking on Boston College, Fowler attended South Kent School located in northwestern Connecticut.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honors

Records

Boston College:
* Career GAA: 1.90

NCAA:
* Most wins by a freshman in a single season: 32 (2024)

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fowler, Jacob
2004 births
Living people
21st-century American sportsmen
AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans
American men's ice hockey goaltenders
Boston College Eagles men's ice hockey players
Ice hockey players from Florida
Montreal Canadiens draft picks
Sportspeople from Melbourne, Florida
Youngstown Phantoms players