Jakub Dobeš

Imagine a young athlete leaving his home country at 16 to pursue a dream across an ocean—this is the remarkable journey of Jakub Dobeš. From his humble beginnings in Czechia to becoming a standout goaltender in the NHL, his story is one of raw talent, relentless dedication, and an uncanny ability to make history the moment he steps onto the ice. Let's delve into the career of a player who has quickly carved out a significant place in the world of professional hockey. Jakub Dobeš quickly became a celebrated collegiate goaltender, earning multiple top awards during his freshman year at Ohio State. He successfully navigated early professional challenges in the AHL, adapting his game to become a consistent and reliable starter. Dobeš achieved a historic NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens, immediately setting franchise and league records that cemented his status as a promising star.

Source: Wikipedia

AI Summary

Jakub Dobeš quickly became a celebrated collegiate goaltender, earning multiple top awards during his freshman year at Ohio State.
He successfully navigated early professional challenges in the AHL, adapting his game to become a consistent and reliable starter.
Dobeš achieved a historic NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens, immediately setting franchise and league records that cemented his status as a promising star.

Distant Shores, Big Dreams

Born in Czechia, Jakub Dobeš made a pivotal decision at just 16 years old. He packed his bags and moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he lived with family friend and former NHL player Ľuboš Bartečko. It was a bold move, all to chase his dream of playing elite ice hockey.

Rising Through the Junior Ranks

In the United States, Dobeš honed his skills with the St. Louis AAA Blues and De Smet Jesuit High School. His talent soon landed him with the Topeka Pilots of the NAHL, where he posted an impressive 1.59 goals-against average and three shutouts. He then moved to the USHL's Omaha Lancers, further solidifying his reputation and earning a spot on the All-USHL Second Team.

NHL Calling

His stellar junior career caught the attention of NHL scouts. In the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, the storied Montreal Canadiens selected Dobeš in the fifth round, 136th overall. It was a significant milestone, marking his entry into the professional hockey pipeline.

Collegiate Sensation

Before turning pro, Dobeš committed to The Ohio State University, where he became an immediate collegiate sensation. His freshman year with the Buckeyes was nothing short of spectacular, boasting a 2.26 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage. He swept up a host of major awards, including Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and co-Freshman of the Year.

Dobeš's incredible collegiate performance earned him numerous accolades during his time at Ohio State. He was a force in the Big Ten, making a lasting impression on college hockey before his professional career truly began. Even in his sophomore year, he continued to impress, earning an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.

Big Ten Goaltender of the Year (2022) Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year (2022) All-Big Ten First Team (2022) All-Big Ten Freshman Team (2022) All-USHL Second Team (2021)

Stepping Up to the Professional Stage

After his collegiate success, Dobeš signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens in March 2023. He immediately joined their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, to get a taste of professional hockey, though he didn't see game action that season.

The Learning Curve in the AHL

The start of his professional journey in the 2023–24 AHL season presented some challenges. Dobeš initially struggled, allowing at least three goals in each of his first six starts. However, true to his resilient nature, he adjusted, improved, and soon became a consistent and solid presence in the Rocket net.

His perseverance paid off dramatically. On February 28, 2024, Dobeš recorded his first professional shutout, making an impressive 35 saves in a 4–0 victory. He finished his rookie AHL campaign tied for the league lead in games played by a goaltender, showcasing his newfound consistency and durability.

The Big Call-Up

After a strong start to the 2024–25 AHL season with Laval, posting a 9–3–1 record in 14 games, Dobeš received the call every aspiring player dreams of. On December 27, 2024, he was recalled by the Montreal Canadiens to make his NHL debut. The moment had arrived.

A Historic NHL Debut

His NHL debut on December 28, 2024, against the Florida Panthers was legendary. Dobeš recorded a stunning 34-save shutout against the defending Stanley Cup champions. He became only the fourth goaltender in Canadiens history to achieve a shutout in their NHL debut—and just the third in league history to do so against the reigning champions.

Setting New Records

Dobeš continued to make history in his early NHL career. After a 2–1 shootout win, he became the first Canadiens goaltender to allow only one goal through his first two career NHL starts. His strong play continued, matching a franchise record by allowing three goals or fewer through his first three starts.

His phenomenal start extended even further, as Dobeš amassed four inaugural career wins while allowing only four or fewer cumulative goals—a feat achieved by only two other NHL goaltenders in history. He also joined an exclusive group as one of only two goalies to earn wins in their first four NHL starts, all of them on the road. By January 19, he became the thirteenth goaltender in NHL history to go 5–0–0 in his first five career games, and only the fourth born outside North America to do so.

Playoff Baptism

Dobeš remained with the Canadiens as a backup for the rest of the regular season and into the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. When starting goaltender Sam Montembeault exited Game 3 of the first round due to injury, Dobeš stepped in, earning a relief victory. This made him only the third netminder in Canadiens franchise history to achieve a playoff win in such a situation.

Cementing His Place

His exceptional performance led to a two-year contract extension with the Canadiens in July 2025. With Montembeault struggling early in the 2025–26 season, Dobeš took on a more prominent role, winning all six of his starts in October. His stellar play earned him the prestigious NHL's Third Star of the Month award, solidifying his status as a rising star.

International Pride

Beyond his professional career, Dobeš has proudly represented his home country. He played for the Czech Republic national junior team at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge, helping them to a respectable fourth-place finish.

A Sporting Lineage

Jakub Dobeš's athletic prowess runs in the family. His mother, Viera, was a competitive figure skater, instilling a discipline for performance. His father, Zdeněk, also played professional hockey for HC Olomouc and HC Vítkovice in the Czech Extraliga, proving that talent and passion for the game are deeply rooted.

Article

Jakub Dobeš

Jakub Dobeš (born May 27, 2001) is a Czech professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fifth round, 136th overall, by the Canadiens in the 2020 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Early years

Dobeš left his native Czechia at the age of 16 and settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where he lived with family friend and former St. Louis Blues forward Ľuboš Bartečko. He joined the St. Louis AAA Blues youth club and enrolled at De Smet Jesuit High School. Following success with both the AAA Blues and De Smet, Dobeš joined the Topeka Pilots of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). During the course of the 2019–20 season, he compiled a 7-3-0 record with a 1.59 goals against average (GAA), a .946 save percentage, along with three shutouts. Thereafter, Dobeš played with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for parts of two seasons where he was named to the All-USHL Second Team prior to his collegiate commitment to The Ohio State University of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) beginning in 2021–22.

Collegiate

Following an outstanding freshman year with the Buckeyes, posting both a 2.26 GAA and a .934 save percentage, his efforts resulted in multiple awards, including the All-Big Ten Freshman Team, the All-Big Ten First Team, Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, and co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year, which he split with defenseman Luke Hughes. He was also named a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award presented to the best men's goaltender across NCAA Division I ice hockey.

Professional

Selected in the fifth round (136th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2020 NHL entry draft, Dobeš signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Canadiens on March 31, 2023. He subsequently joined Montreal's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Laval Rocket to end the 2022–23 season, but did not see any playing time.

After attending the Canadiens' 2023 training camp, Dobeš was assigned to Laval to start the 2023–24 season. Initially struggling at the onset of his professional career, Dobeš allowed at least three goals in each of his first six starts. However, as the season progressed, he adjusted and became a solid fixture in the Rocket net, consistently starting as the team's top goaltender. He recorded his first AHL shutout on February 28, 2024, making 35 stops in a 4–0 win versus the Bridgeport Islanders. Despite this resurgence, the team would ultimately come up short and miss the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs. Dobeš would finish his rookie AHL campaign tied for the league lead in games played by a goaltender, with 51.

Dobeš celebrating his shutout win against the Florida Panthers on December 28, 2024

After posting a 9–3–1 record through 14 games with Laval to begin the 2024–25 season, Dobeš was recalled by the Canadiens on December 27, 2024. Team head coach Martin St. Louis announced that Dobeš would make his NHL debut against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on December 28. With a 34-save shutout, he became just the fourth goaltender in Canadiens franchise history to register a shutout in their NHL debut, joining Bob Perreault, Wayne Thomas, and Yann Danis. Additionally, Dobeš became the seventh goaltender in league history to record a win versus the defending Stanley Cup champion in their NHL debut, and the third to have done so via shutout, after Hal Winkler and Daren Puppa. Following a 2–1 shootout performance over the Colorado Avalanche on January 4, 2025, Dobeš made franchise history as the first Canadiens goaltender to allow one goal through his first two career NHL starts. Improving his record to 3–0–0 with a 3–2 overtime win over the Washington Capitals on January 10, he matched Bob Perreault as the only Canadiens goaltenders to allow three goals or fewer through his first three career starts with the team. A week later, Dobeš became the third goaltender in NHL history following Viktor Fasth and Martin Jones to amass four inaugural career wins while allowing four or fewer cumulative goals through the same number of appearances. Similarly, he also joined Charlie Lindgren as the only other goaltender in league history to earn wins through their first four NHL starts with each game taking place on the road. On January 19, Dobeš became the thirteenth goaltender in NHL history to go 5–0–0 over the course of his first five career games, and just the fourth goaltender born outside North America to achieve same, after Antero Niittymäki, Frederik Andersen, and Pyotr Kochetkov respectively.

Remaining as the Canadiens' backup goaltender for the duration of the regular season and into the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, he would appear in Game 3 of the team's first round series against the Washington Capitals after starter Sam Montembeault had to exit the game due to apparent injury. The Canadiens ultimately won 6–3, with Dobeš becoming the third netminder in franchise history to earn a playoff victory in a relief appearance, following Charlie Hodge ((/wiki/1955StanleyCupplayoffs)) and Rogie Vachon ((/wiki/1969StanleyCupplayoffs)).

Entering the offseason as a restricted free agent, Dobeš was extended a qualifying offer by the Canadiens on June 30, 2025. Thereafter, he agreed to a two-year extension with the team on July 6. With Montembeault struggling at the start of the season, Dobeš assumed a more prominent role, playing six of the team's eleven games in the first month of the season and winning all of them. He was named the NHL's third star of the month for October 2025.

International play

Jakub Dobeš

Dobeš represented the Czech Republic national junior team at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge, where they finished fourth place following an overtime loss to the United States in the bronze medal game.

Personal life

Jakub Dobeš

His mother Viera is a former competitive figure skater, while his father, Zdeněk, played professional hockey for HC Olomouc and HC Vítkovice in the Czech Extraliga.

Career statistics

Jakub Dobeš

<table><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th>Regular season</th><th></th><th>Playoffs</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Season</td><td>Team</td><td>League</td><td>GP</td><td>W</td><td>L</td><td>T/OT</td><td>MIN</td><td>GA</td><td>SO</td><td>GAA</td><td>SV%</td><td>GP</td><td>W</td><td>L</td><td>MIN</td><td>GA</td><td>SO</td><td>GAA</td><td>SV%</td></tr><tr><td>2018–19</td><td>Topeka Pilots</td><td>NAHL</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>60</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>4.00</td><td>.875</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>2019–20</td><td>Topeka Pilots</td><td>NAHL</td><td>10</td><td>7</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>603</td><td>16</td><td>3</td><td>1.59</td><td>.946</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>2019–20</td><td>Omaha Lancers</td><td>USHL</td><td>21</td><td>9</td><td>6</td><td>3</td><td>991</td><td>51</td><td>1</td><td>3.09</td><td>.891</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>2020–21</td><td>Omaha Lancers</td><td>USHL</td><td>47</td><td>26</td><td>16</td><td>3</td><td>2,588</td><td>107</td><td>2</td><td>2.48</td><td>.908</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>120</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>2.10</td><td>.923</td></tr><tr><td>2021–22</td><td>Ohio State Buckeyes</td><td>B1G</td><td>35</td><td>21</td><td>12</td><td>2</td><td>2,044</td><td>77</td><td>3</td><td>2.26</td><td>.934</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>2022–23</td><td>Ohio State Buckeyes</td><td>B1G</td><td>40</td><td>21</td><td>16</td><td>3</td><td>2,361</td><td>91</td><td>2</td><td>2.31</td><td>.918</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>2023–24</td><td>Laval Rocket</td><td>AHL</td><td>51</td><td>24</td><td>18</td><td>6</td><td>2,868</td><td>140</td><td>1</td><td>2.93</td><td>.906</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>2024–25</td><td>Laval Rocket</td><td>AHL</td><td>14</td><td>9</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>812</td><td>33</td><td>0</td><td>2.44</td><td>.910</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td></tr><tr><td>2024–25</td><td>Montreal Canadiens</td><td>NHL</td><td>16</td><td>7</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>875</td><td>40</td><td>1</td><td>2.74</td><td>.909</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>144</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>2.91</td><td>.881</td></tr><tr><td>NHL totals</td><td>16</td><td>7</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>875</td><td>40</td><td>1</td><td>2.74</td><td>.909</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>144</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>2.91</td><td>.881</td></tr></tbody></table>

International

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Team</th><th>Event</th><th>Result</th><th></th><th>GP</th><th>W</th><th>L</th><th>OT</th><th>MIN</th><th>GA</th><th>SO</th><th>GAA</th><th>SV%</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2019</td><td>Czech Republic</td><td>WJAC</td><td>4th</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>233</td><td>12</td><td>0</td><td>3.09</td><td>.894</td></tr><tr><td>Junior totals</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>233</td><td>12</td><td>0</td><td>3.09</td><td>.894</td></tr></tbody></table>

Awards and honours

Jakub Dobeš

<table><thead><tr><th>Award</th><th>Year</th><th>Ref</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>USHL</td></tr><tr><td>All-USHL Second Team</td><td>2021</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>College</td></tr><tr><td>Big Ten Goaltender of the Year</td><td>2022</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year</td><td>2022</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>All-Big Ten First Team</td><td>2022</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>All-Big Ten Freshman Team</td><td>2022</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>All-Big Ten Honorable Mention Team</td><td>2023</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>