Born in Florida, Mike Richter Award winner, 46 saves in a shutout: everything to know about Jacob Fowler, the Montreal Canadiens' 21-year-old goalie.
Forty-six shots, forty-six saves. On October 27 in St. Louis, a 21-year-old goalie from Florida stopped everything the Blues threw at him, setting a Canadiens rookie record for saves in a shutout. His name is Jacob Fowler, and if you are just discovering him, here is who he is, where he comes from and why Montreal is so excited.
- Born November 24, 2004, in Melbourne, Florida, so 21 years old
- Drafted by Montreal in the 3rd round, 69th overall in 2023
- Won the Mike Richter Award (best goalie in U.S. college hockey) in 2025 with Boston College
- NHL debut on December 11, 2025: 36 saves in a win in Pittsburgh
- 2026-27: 6-1-0, 1.54 GAA, .942 save percentage, two shutouts as of October 28
Who is Jacob Fowler?
Jacob Fowler is a goalie for the Montreal Canadiens, still a rookie in 2026-27. Calm, positionally sound and hard to rattle, he went from a mid-round pick to one of the most promising young goalies in the NHL in three years. His teammate Florian Xhekaj sums him up best: "He just kind of rises to the moment. He's just so calm in the net."
A goalie from Florida
Hockey is not exactly a Florida tradition. Fowler grew up in Melbourne, on the Atlantic coast, in a family with no hockey background: his parents are both lawyers. He played baseball, basketball, lacrosse and soccer, but one moment changed everything. At age five, he watched Marc-André Fleury's famous save in Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final. "That save made me a goalie," he told InGoal Magazine.
He then left Florida for prep school in Connecticut (South Kent School), then the USHL with the Youngstown Phantoms, where he won the 2023 Clark Cup and was named playoff MVP, as well as USHL Goaltender of the Year.
His career in key dates
Boston College: the best goalie in college hockey
At Boston College, Fowler dominated from day one. As a freshman in 2023-24, he went 32-6-1 and broke the NCAA record for wins by a first year player. The next season, he posted a 1.63 goals against average, a .940 save percentage and seven shutouts, and won the Mike Richter Award, given to the best goalie in U.S. college hockey. He was named a First Team All-American both years.
His first steps in the NHL
After a stint with the Laval Rocket, Fowler made his NHL debut on December 11, 2025, in Pittsburgh: 36 saves in a 4-2 win. Nine days later, he recorded his first shutout, again against the Penguins. He finished his first NHL season at 9-6-2 with a .908 save percentage, and even came in for relief in the playoffs against Buffalo.
2026-27: the night he stopped 46 shots
Sent to Laval at the end of training camp, Fowler was recalled on October 7 when Samuel Montembeault got hurt in practice. He has not looked back: 6-1-0, 1.54 GAA, .942 save percentage and two shutouts. On October 27 in St. Louis, he stopped all 46 shots in a 2-0 win, including 24 in the third period alone. Only Jacques Plante (52 in 1955) and Samuel Montembeault (48 in 2024) have made more saves in a Canadiens shutout.
The Blues' coach saw it differently. "Fowler, he was incredible tonight," said Jim Montgomery.
| Season | Team | Record | GAA | Sv% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | Boston College | 32-6-1 | 2.14 | .926 | · |
| 2024-25 | Boston College | 25-7-2 | 1.63 | .940 | 7 |
| 2025-26 | Canadiens | 9-6-2 | 2.43 | .908 | 1 |
| 2026-27* | Canadiens | 6-1-0 | 1.54 | .942 | 2 |
Fowler, Montembeault, Dobeš: who is number one?
Montreal now has a nice problem. Samuel Montembeault is expected back from injury soon, Jakub Dobeš started in last spring's playoffs, and Fowler is the hottest goalie on the team. For tonight's game in Dallas, Fowler is expected to rest and Dobeš to start: everything about Canadiens vs Stars tonight. Over a full season, though, Fowler is making the decision very hard for Martin St. Louis.
More on the Habs: our complete 2026-27 Canadiens guide, who is Nick Suzuki, who is Cole Caufield and who is Lane Hutson.
Jacob Fowler: your questions
How old is Jacob Fowler?+
He was born on November 24, 2004, so he is 21 in October 2026.
Where is Jacob Fowler from?+
Melbourne, Florida.
When was Jacob Fowler drafted?+
By the Montreal Canadiens in 2023, in the 3rd round, 69th overall.
Where did Jacob Fowler play before Montreal?+
With the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL), Boston College (NCAA) and the Laval Rocket (AHL).
Is Jacob Fowler still a rookie?+
Yes. NHL.com described his 46 save shutout on October 27, 2026 as a Canadiens rookie record.
Sources: NHL.com, Wikipedia, InGoal Magazine, Florida Hockey Now, Inside The Rink, Instagram @jacob_fowler24.
