The last tile has just fallen on Samuel Montembeault’s head, and it hurts, please.
While he is already trying to overcome the rumors surrounding the potential arrival of another young goalie in Montreal, Jacob Fowler’s former teammates are adding another layer by proclaiming that the prodigy is nothing more and nothing less than “the 8th wonder of the world.”
Montembeault clearly has no mental respite.
Fowler, an 18-year-old goalie selected by the Canadiens 69th overall in the 2023 draft, is turning heads.
In his first NCAA season with the Boston College Eagles, he quickly established himself as his team’s number one goaltender, accumulating an impressive record of 32 wins, 6 losses and 1 tie.
Leading his team to just one win away from the national championship, Fowler already has a remarkable track record.
A finalist for the Mike Richter Trophy, awarded to the NCAA’s top goaltender, he was also named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
The most worrying thing for Montembeault is that the hype surrounding Fowler is not only coming from the media, but also from his own teammates.
Will Smith, a player drafted fourth overall by the San Jose Sharks in 2023, praised Fowler, saying outright that he could be one of the best plays in this draft.
“I don’t think people realize how good he is.”Smith said. Words that resonate all the more strongly given that Smith played alongside Fowler at Boston College and with Team USA.
“I think he’s going to be one of the steals of this draft. He’s a sure bet.”
For Cutter Gauthier, another top prospect playing for the Anaheim Ducks who played alongside Fowler, the latter’s presence in net inspires absolute confidence.
“If you make a mistake, it’s easy not to panic when you know he’s the one in front of the net. ” he confided.
“He’s probably the best goalie I’ve ever played with. He’s unique both on and off the ice. He’s so good at his technique, it shows in his game.”
This blind trust in Fowler echoes what Samuel Montembeault never really received from the Canadiens management, despite his efforts.
But what makes this situation even harder for Montembeault to take is that Fowler, despite his young age, is already seen as a future star.
Some even believe that he could make the jump to the professional ranks earlier than expected, as early as next season.
Cayden Primeau and Jakub Dobes, two other goalies who made their NCAA debuts, left the college circuit after just two seasons to join the professional ranks.
Fowler, with even more impressive statistics, could well follow the same path, which would leave Montembeault in an even more precarious position.
As the pressure mounts, Montembeault sees his future in Montreal increasingly threatened by young goalies ready to do anything to climb the ladder.
The fact that the Journal de Montréal elevates Fowler to the rank of prodigy certainly does not help Montembeault to regain his serenity.
Every day he must deal with the possibility that the organization that supported him early in his career will eventually turn its back on him, fascinated by the brilliance of new talent like Fowler.
The Quebecer therefore finds himself in a very trying mental situation, torn between his desire to establish himself as the number one goalie and the implacable reality of the market for young talent in the NHL.
Jacob Fowler, praised from all sides, represents the future of the Canadiens. But for Montembeault, that future is getting darker every day, as he struggles to prove he’s still the man for the job, despite the growing shadow of the “8th wonder of the world” constantly looming over him.
Jose Theodore must have felt just as bad when Carey Price was drafted. From that moment on, you know your time is running out…
