Before this season, was Jakub Dobes even on anyone’s radar? Unless you’re a die-hard Montreal Canadiens fan, the answer is probably not. That said, during the last month, the young Czech goalie has risen from obscurity to become one of the most desirable assets in the NHL.
But who is he? And what has made him so darn good this season?
Born in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Dobes was drafted in the 5th round of the 2020 NHL Draft. He looks like a goalie, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 215 pounds. He has the size of a prototypical netminder, and it would seem that he also has the skills. His development this season has skyrocketed his status as a prospect in the Canadiens’ system.
Dobes’ Hockey Journey Has Been Interestingly North American
If you didn’t know that Dobes was from the Czech Republic, you’d think he was a typical Canadian kid. He’s been playing in North America since he was 16 years old. His hockey journey began with the Topeka Pilots in the North American Hockey League (NAHL). There, still a teenager, he posted an impressive 0.946 SV% in a small sample of 10 games. He moved on to the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Omaha Lancers.
Finally, he jumped to NCAA hockey with Ohio State University. He continued to shine there, with a 0.934 SV% and 2.26 GAA in his sophomore season. He became a standout Big-10 goalie and played two seasons in Columbus.
Dobes Got Called Up to the Canadiens in December
Moving to professional hockey with the AHL Laval Rocket, Dobes got his call-up to the Canadiens in December 2024. He was expected to spend most of the season in the minors, but he showed everyone. He became a hero in the Canadiens’ crease almost immediately.
His NHL debut in late December against the Florida Panthers was the stuff of movies. He was remarkable, making 34 saves in posting a 4-0 shutout. But Dobes didn’t stop there. He followed that impressive debut up with an equally stellar 22-save performance in a 2-1 shootout win over the Colorado Avalanche.
Sitting now in the middle of January 2025, Dobes had won all three of his starts. Last night, he put up another strong game in his 3-2 overtime win over the Washington Capitals. So far, his poise under pressure has been impressive. Headed to overtime? No problem for Dobes!
He’s faced some of the NHL’s toughest teams and didn’t blink. He’s delivered the goods every game he’s played. His play has also helped the surprising Canadiens rise rapidly in the Atlantic Division standings.
Why Has Dobes Been So Good?
What makes Dobes stand out so far is his combination of size, athleticism, and mental toughness. He was expected to (at best) be a backup goalie who would give Sam Montembeault some rest. But he’s been much more than that.
Right now, he’s showing that he can be a future star. What started as a year set aside for Dobes’ development has become a year of opportunity for Dobes. However, even better for Canadiens’ fans, if this early success is any indication, the youngster seems ready to help his team make the postseason.
Keep an eye on him this season. But, even more interesting, keep an eye on this young Canadiens team. Could this be the beginning of something very special?
News
Lions GM not concerned over closed Super Bowl window despite coaching exodus
As Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes spoke about the playoff exit to the Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the postseason, he now speaks about the foreseeable future. After the Lions lost offensive and defensive coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to…
NFL Makes Huge Jared Goff Announcement After Career Season
Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions capped off the season with a 15-3 record. The Lions were one of the most dominant teams in the NFL throughout the season and entered the playoffs as the No. 1 team in the NFC standings. Despite…
A Completed Trade Between the Canadiens and Devils Just Took an Unexpected Turn
We have an interesting development following a trade between the Montreal Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils. As you know, last March, Kent Hughes traded Jake Allen for a conditional 3rd-round pick, which could become a 2nd-round pick if Allen plays more…
Jake Evans Finally Reveals His Contract Demands, and the Details Are Surprising
We have some new information regarding the much-talked-about contract situation of Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans. I believe everyone agrees on keeping Evans with the Canadiens, but of course, it all depends on the price. Well, we finally have news about…
St-Louis Reveals Owen Beck’s Replacement for Tonight’s Game and Makes Two Announcements
As we mentioned this morning, Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St-Louis made the decision not to hold a morning skate. Therefore, we had to wait for the press conference of the day to find out about the lineup changes for…
Beautiful Sight Live From Canadiens Practice as Reinforcements Could Join the Lineup Soon
We have news about Emil Heineman for you, thanks to the TVA Sports network. In the last few minutes, the network shared images of Heineman, who was on the ice in Brossard. This means that, while Canadiens players are in Detroit, Heineman…
End of content
No more pages to load