Jakub Dobeš

Jakub Dobeš (born May 27, 2001) is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to 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.

Collegiate


Dobeš committed to play college ice hockey for the Ohio State University of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) beginning in the 2021–22 season. Following an outstanding freshman year, posting both a 2.26 goals against average (GAA) and a 93.4 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 Luke Hughes. He was also named a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award, which is awarded to the best men's ice hockey goaltender in the NCAA.

Professional
Dobeš was selected by the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL) 146th overall in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. On March 31, 2023, Dobeš signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens. After the Buckeyes' season finished, Dobeš joined Montreal's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Laval Rocket, but did not see any playing time.

He attended the Canadiens 2023 training camp but was assigned to Laval to start the 2023–24 season. Dobeš's start to his professional career did not go the way he hoped it would, as he struggled to start the season, allowing at least three goals in each of his first six starts. However, as the season went on, Dobeš adjusted and became a solid fixture in the Rocket net. By the end of the season, Dobeš was consistently starting for the team as their top goaltender. Dobeš recorded his first shutout at the professional level on February 28, 2024, making 35 stops in a 4-0 against the Bridgeport Islanders. Dobeš solidified himself as Laval's starting goaltender towards the end of the season, and helped the team crawl back into the playoff picture. However, despite his effort, the Rocket would come up short and miss the playoffs. In his first professional season, Dobeš was tied for the league lead in games played by a goaltender, with 51.