Montreal Canadiens goalie Jacob Fowler, a 21-year-old former Boston College, made 36 saves to win his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday. He only has 15 AHL games this season, following an AHL playoff run last season.

It makes you wonder if prize Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine couldn’t also have a quick rise.  Augustine will be 21 when his Michigan State season is over next spring. Fowler and Augustine were both dominant collegiate performers last season. Fowler won the Mike Richter Trophy, but Augustine was a finalist.

Augustine is having another outstanding college campaign this season, owning a 1.71 GAA and .937 save percentage. He could win the Richter this season, sign with the Red Wings and play games for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Could Augustine play 15 AHL games and be ready for the NHL by next Christmas? It’s impossible to know. Every goalie’s development path and length is different. Traditionally, young goalies don’t play in the NHL at age 21. The average starting age of NHL goalies is closer to 24 than 21. But Fowler’s early success reminds us that it is possible or plausible that Augustine could start early. Another factor to consider is that Sebastian Cossa will have something to say about what occurs with Augustine.

With the season Cossa is having, he should be on the Red Wings next season, or perhaps even this season, depending upon injuries and how the team performs in the second half.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Coach Todd McLellan is among those saying Alex DeBrincat has played well enough to be a U.S.

Former Detroit player Daniel Sprong in the doghouse in the KHL.

With four wins in a row, is John Gibson ready to take charge of Detroit’s net.

Red Wings Extra

Defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka had an even plus-minus playing more than 20 minutes in the 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. It marks the first time this season ASP has gone three consecutive games without having a minus game…Detroit goalie prospect Rudy Guimond made 24 saves in the Moncton Wildcats’ 6-1 win against the Cape Breton Eagles. Guimond owns a 2.28 GAA and 17-3-2 record. Overall, he’s 33-3-2 with Moncton over two seasons.

Rudy Guimond(6th round ‘23)
24 saves 1 GA in a 6-1 win#LGRW
( Most of the Saves+GA) pic.twitter.com/8wN8Q0uq2I

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) December 12, 2025

Hockey Now Network

Montreal: Habs prospect Alexander Zharovsky one of the KHL’s top young players. Montreal Canadiens. 

New Jersey: NJHN lists the five best Devils undrafted players in team history. New Jersey Devils. 

Philadelphia: Rick Tocchet pinpoints Flyers’ fatal flaw after overtime loss. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski explains how the Penguins got jammed up by Montreal. Pittsburgh Penguins.

 

 

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