“It was about more my off-ice and physicality, trying to get a little bit faster and a little bit stronger,” he says about Boston College.
That might be why Fowler was still available when the Canadiens selected him in the third round (69th overall).
Fowler was coming off a season with the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms in which he posted a 27-9-4 record, a 2.28 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage and was named the league’s top goalie. During the playoffs, Fowler had an 8-1 record, a 1.36 GAA and a .952 save percentage, as the Phantoms won the Clark Cup.
Last season, as a freshman at Boston College, Fowler had a 32-6-1 record, a 2.14 GAA and a .926 save percentage as the Eagles won the Hockey East championship and he was named the league’s top goalie.
Ayers added that the team nutritionist at Boston College did a great job with Fowler, who was listed at 6-foot-1 and 223 pounds when the Canadiens opened their development camp Tuesday at the CN Sports Complex in Brossard.
“I think this year was a big step in my development taking the NCAA route,” Fowler said Tuesday. “For me, it was about more my off-ice and physicality, trying to get a little bit faster and a little bit stronger. Really fortunate to have the staff that we had at BC this year. It really helped me get to the level I wanted to be after my freshman year. I got a big summer getting ready for next year.”
Fowler said he noticed a difference during the physical testing players went through on the first day of development camp.
“The pull-ups, I think I did three or four more this year (than last year) so that was a big jump,” he said with a smile. “I think being at BC our strength coach is awesome and this summer all my numbers in the gym have been going way up and the weight and the body fat’s been going down. So that’s kind of what you want to build and keep building to be a pro.”
Fowler helped Boston College reach the NCAA championship game at the Frozen Four tournament last season before losing 2-0 to Denver. He will return to Boston College next season looking to win the championship.
“This year was big for my development when it came to adjusting to the NCAA style,” Fowler said. “I think my game got a lot calmer this year if you watch my progression. I think turning toward the end of the season when it came time for the Hockey East championship and the regional into the Frozen Four, I felt way more calm, way more comfortable.
“Playing in the national championship didn’t feel like it was the biggest game of the season, which looking back on it couldn’t have been a better feeling,” he added. “So I think for me it’s going back and doing everything I can away from the rink that I’m ready not just for that one game, but the rest of my career after that.”
While Fowler is hoping to become the Canadiens’ goalie of the future, he’s not in a rush to turn pro.
Fowler added that he’s excited about the culture of the rebuilding Canadiens with their young players and looks forward to hopefully being a part of it one day.