Jacob Fowler Named NHL’s October Rookie of the Month After Seven Wins

Jacob Fowler was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for October on Sunday after winning seven of eight starts for the Montreal Canadiens.

The 21-year-old finished October with a 7–1–0 record, a 1.84 goals-against average, a .932 save percentage and two shutouts. His seven victories tied the NHL record for a rookie goalie in October, previously reached by Jacques Plante, Ed Belfour and Michal Neuvirth.

Fowler’s official game log shows seven consecutive wins after an October 8 loss to Nashville. He followed that defeat with a 30-save shutout against Detroit, then beat Buffalo twice, Chicago, Winnipeg, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. Saturday’s 25-save performance in Montreal’s 5–4 victory over the Penguins completed the month.

The workload varied considerably. Fowler faced 46 shots in St. Louis on October 27 and stopped them all in a 2–0 win. Four days earlier, his October 23 appearance in Chicago required 20 saves on 21 shots. At Winnipeg on October 25, he denied 33 of 34.

He allowed one goal or fewer in four of those eight October appearances.

Across the eight starts, the official log totals 220 shots against and 205 saves. Fifteen goals allowed over 489 minutes and six seconds produce the reported 1.84 average per 60 minutes. The .932 save percentage reflects all eight appearances, rather than only the winning streak.

That distinction matters because Fowler allowed four goals against Pittsburgh while still earning the victory. His two shutouts came against Detroit and St. Louis; Montreal also needed overtime or a shootout in several earlier wins.

The monthly honor follows recent Canadiens rookie awards for Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson. Fowler became Montreal’s first goaltender to receive it since Carey Price in March 2008. The award covers October performance and does not determine the season-ending Calder Trophy, which remains a separate honor.