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?