Goalie Jakub Dobes signs two-year deal with Canadiens after successful rookie season
The deal will pay the backup goalie an average of US$965,000 per season.
Dobes played in 16 Canadiens games this past season, earning a 7-4-3 record with a 2.74 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound netminder ranked fourth in wins among NHL rookie goaltenders and was one of five first-year goaltenders to earn a shutout.
Dobes, who started the 2024-25 season with the Laval Rocket, recorded a shutout in his first career NHL game against the Florida Panthers in late December.
The native of Ostrava, Czechia, also played three post-season contests and earned his first career playoff win in late April against the Washington Capitals.
Montreal selected Dobes in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.

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Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Oilers trade Sam O'Reilly for Hoby Baker Award winner Isaac Howard
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Edmonton Journal
an hour ago
- Edmonton Journal
'TRADE ALERT': Edmonton acquires top Tampa prospect, moving out their own top prospect in return
Article content But fellow hockey writer Corey Pronman of the Athletic ranked Howard 33rd overall, saying, 'Howard is a player defined by his skill level. His stick skills are among the best in the draft. He can make quick and creative dekes consistently. He's known as a goal-scorer, but he can make creative passes and make difficult plays in small areas. Howard is a good enough skater for the NHL, but for a 5-foot-10 guy you'd like to see a little more burst. His goal scoring is more a product of his skill and willingness to attack the middle than an elite shot. He projects as a top-nine winger.' Article content Since that time, Howard's stock has shot down, then up again. He had a mediocre first season in U.S. college hockey, scoring 17 points in 35 games for the University of Minnesota-Duluth. But his game took off after he transferred to the Michigan State, scoring 36 points in 36 games in his sophomore year, then 52 points in 37 games this year to win the Hobey Baker. Article content Article content In Pronman's ranking of the world's best players under the age of 2023 this past winter, he ranked Edmonton prospect Matt Savoie 129th overall, with Howard not on the list of 139 players. Article content In February 2025, TSN's Craig Button had him ranked 43rd overall on his list of top NHL-affiliated players who weren't yet in the NHL. Article content In January 2025, The Athletic's Wheeler said of Howard: 'Ultimately, Howard is a player who is always going to have PP utility but will require the right coach, usage and linemates to be the impactful top-six winger I think he's capable of being at five-on-five. It has been nice, though, over the last two years to see him play with more jump, get to more loose pucks, move his feet to get off the wall and to the slot/net, and be above and supporting more pucks when the other team has possession.' Article content Talent evaluator Byron Bader had this to say about Howard this week: 'Isaac Howard looks pretty decent. Certainly worth acquiring for a pick around where he was taken, maybe a bit more.' Article content And stats analyst Rono was more effusive, saying, 'If Edmonton really acquires Isaac Howard, that should extend Oilers' window for winning the Stanley Cup until like 2033. McDavid, Draisaitl, Howard, Savoie sounds very good to me. If both Howard and Savoie will be at least legit Top 6 wingers during their prime years of course.'


Toronto Sun
3 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Hockey phenom Gavin McKenna commits to Penn State for upcoming NCAA season
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Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. 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. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. 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 Don't have an account? Create Account In a game-changing decision for junior hockey, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in next year's NHL entry draft announced on ESPN's SportsCenter on Tuesday that he's leaving the Western Hockey League and committing to Penn State University. 'It was a super-tough decision,' McKenna said. 'Obviously there are a lot of great options out there. But me, my family and everyone who's part of my circle decided that the best spot for me next year would be Penn State University.' McKenna said having the chance to go against 'older, heavier, stronger guys' in college will help prepare him for the NHL. McKenna had 41 goals and 88 assists in 56 regular-season games for the Medicine Hat Tigers last season. He joins the Nittany Lions after helping Medicine Hat win its first WHL title since 2007 and reach the Memorial Cup final. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Obviously, the (WHL) was a great spot, and I'm very grateful for what it did for me and my family,' he said. 'I think both options are great, but I just think that going to college and being in such a great conference, it'll really challenge me and prepare me.' The 17-year-old from Whitehorse, who also played for Canada at the world junior hockey championship, has an exceptional blend of deceptive playmaking, elite stickhandling and shifty skating. In June, the 6-foot winger became the third-youngest Canadian Hockey League player of the year behind Sidney Crosby and John Tavares. Read More McKenna is the latest — and biggest — talent exiting the Canadian ranks for the NCAA in a changing junior hockey landscape. The NCAA lifted a long-standing ban in November, allowing CHL players to compete at U.S. colleges starting next season. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A wave of CHL players nearing the end of their time in junior committed to American schools in the following months. McKenna, meanwhile, joins a growing number of WHL, OHL and QMJHL prospects committing to the NCAA with their junior careers in full swing. Keaton Verhoeff, another top 2026 draft prospect, is departing the WHL's Victoria Royals to join the University of North Dakota. Cayden Lindstrom, McKenna's Medicine Hat teammate and last year's fourth overall pick, is heading to Michigan State. 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