Jakub Dobes

Jakub Dobes opened his NHL career with a shutout of the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers — a debut that set the tone for what would follow. The Czech goaltender, born May 27, 2001, in Ostrava, was selected by the Montréal Canadiens in the fifth round, 136th overall, in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. That draft position made what came next all the more remarkable.

Dobes did not begin the 2024–25 season in the NHL. Cut by the Canadiens as a second-year pro out of Ohio State, he returned to the American Hockey League to start the year. A December callup changed everything. After that shutout of Florida to open his NHL career, he finished the season 7-4-1 with the Canadiens, helping the club qualify for the playoffs. When starter Samuel Montembault was injured during the postseason, Dobes stepped in, going 1-2 against the Washington Capitals. Across his 16 NHL appearances that season, he posted a 2.74 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage, with that one shutout.

The 2025–26 season brought a new level of activity. Through 43 games, Dobes carried a record of 29-10-4 with a 2.78 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. According to a 2025 InGoal article by Colin Hodd, Dobes began the season on a 5-0-0 run — a .940 save percentage and a 1.77 goals-against average through those five games — and that start set an NHL rookie record for consecutive wins to open a season for the second year in a row ^[1]. Across his full NHL career to date, he has appeared in 59 games, going 36-14-7 with a career 2.77 goals-against average, a .904 save percentage, and 1 shutout in 3,400:22 minutes of ice time.

The Hodd piece in InGoal explores what specifically drives Dobes's hot starts — and the lessons younger goaltenders can draw from his approach to the off-season and pre-season preparation ^[1]. Part of that approach centers on a deliberate off-season structure: a longer break from the ice, a focus on physical strength and flexibility, and sustained mental work with mindset coach Pete Fry. "For me personally, I like to take a longer break from the ice," Dobes said on Episode 311 of the InGoal Radio podcast ^[2]. "I like to become stronger in the gym."

Even away from the ice, Dobes maintains his game through visualization — a practice he described in detail on InGoal Radio ^[2], including how he walks himself through specific in-game scenarios and his own game-day routines. The InGoal article draws out those details alongside lessons for goalies at every level ^[1].

Dobes wears jersey number 75 for the Canadiens. He stands 6'4" and weighs 215 pounds, catches left, and holds Czech nationality. InGoal Magazine has covered Jakub Dobes in one podcast appearance and one InGoal article.