NAHL alum Dobes signs NHL contract with Canadiens

Jakub Dobes played for the Topeka Pilots in the NAHL during the 2019-20 season.

Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced that the team has agreed to terms on a two-year, entry-level contract with goaltender and NAHL alum Jakub Dobes (2023-24 to 2024-25) which carries an average annual value of $925,000.

Dobes also signed an AHL contract allowing him to finish the current season with the Laval Rocket.

In 2022-23 Dobeš started all 40 games and had a 2.31 goals-against average and .918 save percentage, with three shutouts as the Buckeyes reached the Big Ten Tournament semifinals and NCAA quarterfinals. He had 21 wins for the second year in a row, tied for the fifth-most in school history. Dobeš was between the pipes for 2361:16, the second-most minutes in school history and most since 2001-02 (and the second-most among NCAA goalies this year). His 1,013 season saves are seventh all-time. He earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten accolades and was a finalist for the Big Ten Goalie of the Year award.

As a rookie, Dobeš was the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and the co-Big Ten Freshman of the Year, along with a First Team All-Big Ten honoree and a Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection. He saw action in 35 games, starting 34, and his .934 save percentage is the second-best in school history, while his 2.26 goals-against average is ninth all-time.

He has earned Ohio State Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten accolades.

The Ostrava, Czechia native was selected in the fifth round (136th overall) by the Canadiens in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Dobes played in the NAHL for the Pilots during the 2019-20 season and was one of the top goalies in the NAHL during his tenure, compiling a 7-3-0 record to go along with a 1.59 goals against average and a .946 save percentage and three shutouts.

He was named the NAHL’s South Division Star of the Week for September 30-October 6 after he picked up two wins in two starts, allowing a single goal on 72 shots. Dobes was also the first Pilots player to make an NCAA Division 1 commitment during the 2019-20 season as he committed to The Ohio State in the B1G on October 9, 2019.