Sports fans are passionate creatures, often caught in a whirlwind of hope, excitement, and impatience. For Montreal Canadiens fans, those emotions are amplified tenfold. Hockey is not merely a game in Montreal—it’s woven into the very fabric of the city. It’s a religion. A good save can earn a young goalie sainthood; a bad night can cast him into hockey purgatory. Such is life in one of the sport’s most storied and demanding markets.
As the Canadiens navigate their rebuild, anticipation bubbles to the surface. The promise of a brighter future, with young talent developing across leagues worldwide, offers fans something they’ve been craving: hope. And when a young player thrives—particularly a goaltender like Jacob Fowler—it’s only natural for fans to dream of greatness. But dreaming and penciling a 20-year-old into an NHL starting role are two very different things. History reminds us time and time again that goaltending, perhaps more than any other position, requires patience.
Jacob Fowler’s Promise
Fans do know a fair amount about hockey for sure. When it comes to prospects, whether they want to admit it or not, they think they know a lot. Such is not the case, particularly when it comes to goaltending, as we’ve recently covered in relative details.
Jacob Fowler, the 20-year-old netminder drafted by the Canadiens in the third round (69th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, has been nothing short of dominant for Boston College in the NCAA. His numbers are eye-popping: a 1.73 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage so far in his sophomore season. Fowler looks every bit the part of a future NHL goalie.
However, the idea that Fowler could jump straight from the college ranks to the Canadiens’ crease as early as next year—a sentiment echoing across social media—is more fantasy than reality. Goaltending is not a sprint; it’s a marathon.
To put things into perspective, let’s draw a comparison to one of today’s elite NHL goalies—Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks.
The Demko Blueprint
Like Fowler, Demko honed his craft at Boston College, where he was drafted 36th overall in the second round of the 2014 NHL Draft. Their stats through similar stages of development are eerily close:
Thatcher Demko
- Drafted: 2014 (Round 2, 36th overall)
- Height/Weight: 6’4”, 192 lbs
- Draft +1: 35 GP, 2.19 GAA, .925 Sv%, 19-13-3 record
- Draft +2: 39 GP, 1.88 GAA, .935 Sv%, 27-8-4 record
Jacob Fowler
- Drafted: 2023 (Round 3, 69th overall)
- Height/Weight: 6’2”, 214 lbs
- Draft +1: 39 GP, 2.14 GAA, .926 Sv%, 32-6-1 record
- Draft +2: 15 GP, 1.73 GAA, .933 Sv%, 11-2-1 record (so far)
The parallels are striking, and it’s easy to see why Canadiens fans might draw inspiration from Demko’s rise. But let’s also remember how long it took him to establish himself in the NHL.
After dominating in college, Demko didn’t leap straight to the NHL. Instead, he spent three full seasons developing with Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. It wasn’t until the 2020-21 season—at the age of 26—that Demko truly emerged with the Canucks The following year, at 27, he cemented himself as a legitimate NHL starter, playing in 64 games.
If Fowler were to follow a similar path—and remember, goaltender development is rarely linear—he wouldn’t reach his NHL prime for another six or seven years. Even under the most optimistic scenario, it’s fair to expect at least 4-5 years of seasoning before he can be counted on as an NHL starter. That’s not a knock on Fowler’s talent; it’s simply the reality of developing goaltenders.
The Weight of the Market
Goaltenders are a different breed. They play the loneliest position in sports, with an immense mental toll that comes from being the last line of defense. Canadiens legend Jacques Plante summed it up best:
“How would you like it if, at your job, every time you made the slightest mistake a little red light went on over your head and 18,000 people stood up and screamed at you?”
Now imagine that red light flashing in Montreal’s Bell Centre. The pressure that comes with being a goalie in this market is second to none. It’s why so few netminders are ready to take on that responsibility at such a young age. Rushing Fowler into the NHL before he’s ready would not only jeopardize his confidence, but it could derail his development entirely. The Canadiens need only look at other once-hyped goalie prospects who fizzled out after being thrust into the spotlight too soon.
A Lesson in Patience
For Canadiens fans, the excitement surrounding Jacob Fowler is warranted. He’s talented, composed, and carries all the makings of a future NHL goaltender. But the key word here is future. The organization and its fans must exercise patience and allow Fowler the time he needs to reach his full potential.
Thatcher Demko didn’t become the Canucks’ backbone overnight. His journey was methodical, deliberate, and—most importantly—unrushed. If Fowler follows a similar trajectory, he could very well become the Canadiens’ answer between the pipes for years to come. But for now, let him grow. Let him develop. Let him dominate in college and, eventually, the AHL.
Hockey may be a religion in Montreal, but even the most devout know that great things take time. Jacob Fowler’s day will come—just not tomorrow.
So, Habs fans, take a deep breath and enjoy the ride. Patience, after all, is a virtue.
