While NHL players will be on pause for the Olympic break, the AHL is keeping the momentum going - and the spotlight is about to shine on some of its brightest young stars. The league’s All-Star Classic is set for February 10 and 11, and the Laval Rocket will be well represented. Three players from the Montreal Canadiens’ affiliate have earned the nod: forward Laurent Dauphin, defenseman Adam Engstrom, and goaltender Jacob Fowler.
Fowler’s inclusion might not come as a surprise to those following the Rocket closely this season. The 21-year-old netminder has been turning heads with his steady play and poise beyond his years.
In 21 games with Laval, he’s posted a strong 14-7-0 record, three shutouts, a 2.25 goals-against average, and a .915 save percentage. Those are the kind of numbers that don’t just earn All-Star recognition - they demand it.
But it’s not just Fowler’s performance that’s drawing attention heading into the All-Star festivities. He’s also debuting a new mask for the occasion - one that blends personal flair with a nod to his current home.
Fowler stuck with his signature Iron Man theme, but worked with local artist JF Aumais to add some meaningful touches. The AHL All-Star Classic logo is featured prominently, and on the backplate, a subtle but powerful change: where his usual mask displays a Florida license plate, this one sports a Quebec plate instead, complete with the province’s iconic motto, Je me souviens - “I remember.”
It’s a small detail, but a meaningful one. Fowler may be Florida-born, but he’s clearly embracing his time in Quebec, and Canadiens fans are sure to appreciate the gesture.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Fowler has caught the attention of Habs faithful this season. With Montreal’s goaltending depth tested early, Fowler was called up for a 10-game stint in the NHL - a stretch that turned into a valuable audition.
He went 4-4-2 with a 2.62 GAA, a .902 save percentage, and even notched a shutout against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Not bad for a rookie who wasn’t expected to see NHL ice this season.
Still, despite his solid showing, the Canadiens opted to return Fowler to Laval. The decision wasn’t performance-related - far from it.
With three goalies in the mix at the NHL level, Fowler simply wasn’t going to get the reps he needs to continue developing. Back in the AHL, he’s getting consistent starts and continuing to build confidence - and momentum.
The Canadiens have to feel good about what they’ve seen so far. Fowler’s calm demeanor, technical polish, and big-game mentality suggest he’s more than just a promising prospect - he’s a goaltender on the rise. His All-Star selection is just the latest sign that Montreal may have found something special between the pipes.
And while he’ll be backstopping the Rocket for now, it feels like only a matter of time before Jacob Fowler is back in a Canadiens sweater - this time, for good.