Jakub Dobes will take what we give him with the

Jakub Dobes will take what we give him with the rocket

Jakub Dobes doesn’t know how many games he will play with the Laval Rocket this season. His coach Jean-François Houle doesn’t know anything more.

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This uncertainty comes from the fact that we don’t yet know what the Montreal Canadiens will do with Cayden Primeau, the trusted man in Laval for four years. The situation will change greatly depending on whether he starts the season with the Canadian or the Rocket. When Primeau returns, Houle must juggle between his two masked men.

“If that happens we will manage it and we won’t be unhappy, having two good goalkeepers is a very good problem to have.”

“Primeau is a little older, he has experience and can help a younger man,” believes the head coach. I don’t know if Jakub can be number one now, but he’s further along in his development than I thought.”

First season

The 22-year-old goaltender will begin his first year as a professional after two seasons at Ohio State in the NCAA.

He was very busy with the Buckeyes, playing 35 or 40 games. So things could be different this year if he has to share the job with Primeau.

“I have no idea what use I will get. No matter if my name is said 60, 20 or 10 times, I will be happy and ready.

“I like to play and compete, that’s the type of goalkeeper I am, but if I play fewer games I will adapt, it will be a new experience.”

Good setting

Given the circumstances, the 6’3″ and 200lb big guy is taking things the right way, but we get the feeling he’s very confident in his abilities.

“I’m not disappointed to be in Laval, I just want to play games, win and gain experience. I have no doubt that if I perform well I will be in the dressing room [du Canadien] A day.”

The 22-year-old Czech, who was defeated by the Canadian in the fifth round in 2020, has reason to be confident.

Coming to North America six years ago, he notably played 47 games with the Omaha Lancers in the USHL in 2020-2021. During his two seasons at Ohio State, he had averages of 2.26 and 2.31 and save percentages of .934 and .918.