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Czech Republic native was only 17 when he moved to the United States to pursue his dream of playing professionally.
Published Apr 04, 2023 • 3 minute read
Jakub Dobes takes part in his first practice as a member of the Laval Rocket on Tuesday. Photo by Courtesy of the Laval Rocket. Czech Republic native Jakub Dobes was still a teenager in 2018 when he got off the plane alone, with only a modicum of English at his disposal, determined to pursue his dream of playing goaltender professionally.
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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The 6-foot-4, 201-pound affable Dobes, now 21, excelled in his initial stop with the Topeka Pilots of the North American Hockey League. And his journey seems destined to end with him stopping pucks at the NHL level.
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“My mother’s an English teacher, so I knew grammar a little bit,” Dobes said on Tuesday after his first practice with the Laval Rocket and mere days after he signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens. “But the slang is heavy in the United States and everywhere. Once you learn the slang, I think you’re fine everywhere you go.
“I always knew, if I wanted to be a professional hockey player, I needed to go somewhere where the sport’s the biggest. Where’s the best hockey? We (his family and adviser) made a decision. I was like a regular kid, going to high school, playing hockey and not thinking too much about it, just getting better and better. I kind of liked Topeka. I know it’s nothing in comparison to Montreal. But it was great. I had a blast, a good time. And I was able to accomplish getting a contract with Montreal.”
Dobes was selected 136th overall by the Canadiens in 2020, following a season with Omaha of the USHL. He eventually enrolled at Ohio State University in 2021 and, while the Buckeyes are known more for their football and basketball programs, Dobes came into his own competing in the Big-10.
He was outstanding as a freshman, posting a 2.26 average, .934 save percentage and three shutouts in 35 games. He was named the Big-10 goaltender of the year and was a candidate for the Mike Richter Award, given to the best NCAA netminder. In 40 games this season, his average was 2.31, along with a .918 save percentage and two shutouts.
Despite having two more years of college eligibility, Dobes decided the time was right to turn pro. His contract comes into effect next season and carries an average annual value of US$925,000 if he plays in the NHL. For now, he signed an AHL deal, making him eligible to play for the Rocket.
“I figured it was a good decision,” he said. “I just felt I was ready. I wanted a new challenge. I wanted to face better players and improve as a player. I think this will make me a better hockey player. It only took me a couple of days. I wanted to make sure I was making the best decision for myself.
“I feel like I’m ready to play as many games as they want. But that’s a decision for the coaches. I just got here. I’ll do my best and be ready when my name’s called.”
This is where things get complicated.
Following a four-game winning streak on its recent road trip, Laval occupies the fifth and final playoff spot in the North Division, three points ahead of both Belleville and Cleveland, although the latter holds two games in hand. The Rocket entertains Cleveland Friday night at Place Bell in a huge game.
Cayden Primeau, the Rocket’s first-string goalie, is with the Canadiens and was scheduled to start Tuesday against Philadelphia, leaving Kevin Poulin, who has a 3.18 average in 27 games, with the Rocket. Laval head coach Jean-François Houle doesn’t know if Primeau will spend the rest of the season with Montreal, which will depend on Jake Allen’s health. Would Houle be brave enough to start Dobes with so much at stake?
“It’s a hell of a gamble, but this is the AHL,” Houle said. “We’re there to make sure the players get experience. We’ll see what happens. His NCAA stats shows he’s a very successful goalie that has a lot of potential. He’s big … you can’t teach size. The pro game’s different, so he probably has to fix a few things.
“He’s going to be a big piece of the puzzle here going forward.”
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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