The Laval Rocket, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, will be well-represented at the upcoming AHL All-Star Classic. Three of its players—goaltender Jacob Fowler, defenceman Adam Engstrom, and centre Laurent Dauphin—have been named to the prestigious event's roster.
A Trio of First-Time All-Stars
The league made the announcement official on Thursday, January 15, 2026. For all three athletes, this marks their first-ever selection to an AHL All-Star team. They will be joined in Rockford, Illinois, by their head coach, Pascal Vincent, who will also participate in the festivities.
The event is scheduled for February 10-11, 2026, strategically placed during the National Hockey League's break for the Winter Olympics. While the Canadiens will pause play after February 4, Fowler will not be heading to the Games in Italy, freeing him to showcase his skills at the AHL showcase.
Profiles of the Selected Stars
Each player brings a unique story and impressive statistics to the all-star stage.
Jacob Fowler, the 21-year-old netminder, is in his inaugural professional season. He has already seen action with the Montreal Canadiens, posting a record of 4 wins, 3 losses, and 2 overtime losses. Currently part of a three-goalie rotation in Montreal, his assignment to the AHL event underscores his promising talent.
Veteran centre Laurent Dauphin, 30, is in the midst of his 12th professional campaign. He has been a dominant force in the AHL this season, ranking second in league scoring with 40 points, comprised of 11 goals and 29 assists. His extensive experience includes 459 AHL games and 94 appearances in the NHL.
On the blue line, Adam Engstrom, 22, continues to develop in his second season with the Rocket. He has established himself as the team's highest-scoring defenceman and has also gained valuable NHL experience, playing 11 games for the Canadiens this year.
Event Format and Significance
The AHL All-Star Classic will feature players from all four of the league's divisions, with 12 skaters selected per team by committees of AHL coaches. The weekend's schedule includes a skills competition on Friday, February 10, followed by a round-robin 3-on-3 tournament on Saturday, February 11. The tournament will consist of eight-minute games, with the top two teams advancing to a final championship match.
This recognition is a significant honour for the Laval Rocket organization and highlights the depth of talent percolating within the Canadiens' development system. It offers Fowler, Engstrom, and Dauphin a premier platform to compete against the AHL's best and celebrate their outstanding seasons to date.
