Habs Ink NCAA Star Goalie Jacob Fowler to 3-Year Deal

The Montreal Canadiens have officially locked in one of hockey’s most electrifying young goaltenders, signing Jacob Fowler to a three-year, entry-level contract starting in 2025-26. The announcement, made this morning, confirms earlier reports from Marco D’Amico, PuckPedia, PHR, and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun.

Fowler, widely regarded as one of the best goalie prospects outside the NHL, will wrap up this season on a try-out agreement with the AHL’s Laval Rocket—giving fans an early glimpse of the future.

No reason for Habs fans to be stressing about not having a Jacob Fowler decision yet. I think it's unlikely he stays in school for another year. Likeliest option is to join AHL Laval for rest of the season. But with Laval out West right now, there's no urgency.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 2, 2025

Breaking Down the Deal

PuckPedia has the contract details:

2025-26: 775K + 95K signing bonus + $80K games played bonus
2026-27 & 2027-28 : 885K + 95K signing bonus + $500K Schedule ‘A’ performance bonus
Total cap hit: $923K

From USHL Sensation to College Dominance

Fowler’s rise has been nothing short of spectacular. After tearing up the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms, where he set records (highest save percentage by a U18 goalie in league history), he led them to their first-ever Clark Cup in 2023—earning USHL Goalie of the Year and Playoff MVP honors.

Drafted 69th overall by Montreal in 2023, Fowler immediately proved the Habs right, stepping into Boston College’s starting role as a freshman and dominating:

2023-24: 32-6-1 record, .926 SV% (Hockey East Goaltender of the Year)
2024-25: 25-7-2, .940 SV% (2nd-best in NCAA, back-to-back Hockey East honors)

He joins an elite club—only Cayden Primeau, Connor Hellebuyck, and Thatcher Demko had previously won Hockey East’s top goalie award as freshmen.

Next Stop: Laval Rocket – A Battle for the Crease

Fowler’s arrival in Laval sets up a goalie showdown with none other than Cayden Primeau, who’s been stellar in the AHL (19-2-1, .922 SV%) but inconsistent in NHL call-ups.

With just nine games left in the Rocket’s season—where they lead the AHL with 92 points—Fowler will compete for starts against backups Connor Hughes (.906 SV%) and Luke Cavallin (.897 SV%).

If Fowler shines, he could quickly become a playoff X-factor for a Laval team eyeing a Calder Cup run. And given his track record—championships, awards, and relentless improvement—there’s every reason to believe he will.

The future in Montreal’s net just got a whole lot brighter.