Jakub Dobes Bio
Jakub Dobes is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on May 27, 2001, in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Dobes was selected 136th overall by the Canadiens in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. After developing his game in American youth and junior leagues and starring at The Ohio State University, he signed his first professional contract in 2023 and quickly worked his way into the NHL picture.
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and catching with his left hand, Dobes has become known for his composure, athleticism, and quick adjustment to higher levels of competition. His rapid rise through the Canadiens system made him one of the most intriguing young goaltenders in the organization.
Early Life and Background
Jakub Dobes was born and raised in Ostrava, a city in the eastern part of the Czech Republic with a strong hockey tradition. Growing up in this environment gave him early and constant exposure to the sport, and he began developing his goaltending skills as a young child.
His father, Zdeněk Dobes, played professional hockey in the Czech Extraliga for HC Olomouc and HC Vítkovice, while his mother, Viera Dobes, was a former competitive figure skater. With two athletic parents, Dobes grew up in a household that valued sport and competition, and his parents strongly supported his decision to pursue hockey seriously.
At the age of 16, Dobes left his home country and moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he lived with family friend and former St. Louis Blues forward Ľuboš Bartečko. He enrolled at De Smet Jesuit High School and joined the St. Louis AAA Blues youth program, a move that helped him adapt to the faster and more physical North American style of hockey.
Path to Hockey
Dobes first made a name for himself in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) with the Topeka Pilots during the 2019–20 season. He produced strong numbers, including a 7-3-0 record, a 1.59 goals against average, a .946 save percentage, and three shutouts. These performances caught the attention of NHL scouts and helped confirm his status as a legitimate professional prospect.
He then moved to the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL), one of the top junior leagues in North America. Over parts of two seasons with the Lancers, Dobes continued to refine his game and earned recognition as a member of the All-USHL Second Team, an honor reserved for the most productive players at that level.
Following his junior career, Dobes committed to The Ohio State University, where he played for the Buckeyes beginning in the 2021–22 season. His freshman year was exceptional, as he posted a 2.26 goals against average and a .934 save percentage. His play earned him spots on the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and the All-Big Ten First Team, along with the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year award and a shared Big Ten Freshman of the Year honor. He was also named a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award, given to the top goaltender in NCAA Division I men’s hockey.
Jakub Dobes Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Dobes began his North American career with the Topeka Pilots of the NAHL in 2019, immediately establishing himself as a reliable starting goaltender. His combination of size and poise helped him stand out, and his outstanding numbers during the 2019–20 season served as his introduction to professional scouts.
After one season in Topeka, he advanced to the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, where he played at a higher level against some of the best junior players in the United States. His development in Omaha prepared him for the speed and structure of college hockey, and his selection in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Canadiens validated his progress.
NCAA Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Dobes joined The Ohio State University in 2021 and quickly became one of the top freshmen goaltenders in the country. His stellar first season earned him numerous individual awards and established him as one of the most promising young netminders in college hockey.
He followed his freshman campaign with continued strong play for the Buckeyes, building a reputation as a calm, technically sound, and athletic goaltender. By the end of his collegiate career, Dobes was widely regarded as one of the best goaltending prospects outside of professional hockey.
Professional Debut and AHL Development (2023–2024)
On March 31, 2023, Dobes signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens and was assigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Laval Rocket. Although he did not appear in any games at the end of the 2022–23 season, he attended the Canadiens’ 2023 training camp before returning to Laval to start the 2023–24 campaign.
His early professional games were a learning experience, as he allowed three or more goals in each of his first six starts. However, Dobes gradually adjusted to the pace of the AHL and became the Rocket’s top goaltender. He recorded his first professional shutout on February 28, 2024, stopping all 35 shots in a 4–0 win over the Bridgeport Islanders. He finished his rookie AHL season tied for the league lead in games played by a goaltender with 51 appearances.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2024–Present)
After a strong start to the 2024–25 season with Laval, Dobes was recalled by the Canadiens on December 27, 2024. Head coach Martin St. Louis announced that he would make his NHL debut the following night against the Florida Panthers. In that game, Dobes stopped all 34 shots he faced in a shutout victory, becoming just the fourth goaltender in Canadiens history to post a shutout in his NHL debut.
He continued his remarkable introduction to the league with several more impressive performances, including a 2–1 shootout win over the Colorado Avalanche and a 3–2 overtime victory against the Washington Capitals. By January 19, he had become the thirteenth goaltender in NHL history to begin his career with a 5–0–0 record. He also appeared in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, earning a relief win in Game 3 against the Washington Capitals. On July 6, 2025, Dobes signed a two-year contract extension with the Canadiens, securing his place in the team’s long-term plans.
Playing Style and Strengths
Dobes is known for his calm demeanor, technical soundness, and ability to track the puck through traffic. His 6-foot-4 frame allows him to cover a large portion of the net, while his quick lateral movement helps him handle rapid cross-ice plays. Coaches have praised his work ethic and his willingness to learn, qualities that have helped him adjust quickly to each new level of competition.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Dobes’s career came on December 28, 2024, when he recorded a 34-save shutout in his NHL debut against the Florida Panthers. He later joined elite company by starting his NHL career with five consecutive wins, and he added a Stanley Cup playoff relief victory against Washington to his list of early achievements. Internationally, he represented the Czech Republic at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge.
Jakub Dobes Career Wins
Across junior, collegiate, and professional levels, Jakub Dobes has built a growing résumé of wins and individual honors. His success has spanned the NAHL, USHL, NCAA, AHL, and NHL, making him one of the more well-rounded young goaltenders of his generation.
NHL Highlights
Dobes made an immediate impact at the NHL level by recording a shutout in his debut with the Montreal Canadiens. He went on to win each of his first five NHL starts, becoming the thirteenth goaltender in league history to begin his career with a perfect 5–0–0 record. He also earned a playoff relief win during the 2025 postseason, further cementing his value to the Canadiens.
Other Wins and Performances
Before reaching the NHL, Dobes excelled at every level of his development. He posted a strong record with the Topeka Pilots in the NAHL, earned All-USHL Second Team honors with the Omaha Lancers, and was named Big Ten Goaltender of the Year during his freshman season at Ohio State. In the AHL, he tied for the league lead in games played by a goaltender during his rookie year with the Laval Rocket.
Jakub Dobes Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in Jakub Dobes’s family. His father, Zdeněk Dobes, played professional hockey in the Czech Extraliga for HC Olomouc and HC Vítkovice, giving his son a direct connection to the highest level of Czech hockey. His mother, Viera Dobes, was a former competitive figure skater, which contributed to the family’s strong athletic foundation.
When Jakub moved to the United States as a teenager, he was taken in by family friend and former NHL forward Ľuboš Bartečko, who played an important role in helping him adjust to life in North America and supporting his hockey development.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Dobes has remained closely tied to his family and his Czech roots. His decision to leave home at 16 to pursue his hockey dream in the United States reflected both his maturity and the strong support system provided by his parents and extended network.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a turning point in Jakub Dobes’s career. After beginning the year with the Laval Rocket, he was promoted to the Montreal Canadiens in late December 2024 and immediately made history with a shutout in his NHL debut against the Florida Panthers. His early performances were historic, as he became the thirteenth goaltender in league history to begin his career with five consecutive wins.
As the season progressed, Dobes settled into the role of backup goaltender behind starter Sam Montembeault. He appeared in relief during Game 3 of the Canadiens’ first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals, earning a victory and becoming only the third goaltender in franchise history to win a playoff game in relief. Following the season, he signed a two-year extension with Montreal on July 6, 2025.
Entering the next phase of his career, Dobes appears firmly positioned within the Canadiens’ goaltending plans. With a blend of size, athleticism, and proven performance under pressure, he remains one of the most promising young goaltenders in the NHL and a key piece of Montreal’s long-term roster.
