Catching up with… Jakub Dobes

MONTREAL -- Goaltender Jakub Dobes is enjoying another outstanding campaign at Ohio State University.

The sophomore boasts a 7-2-1 record, along with a 2.25 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
Dobes, 21, was a fifth-round selection (136th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation with the Buckeyes' starter:
Dobes on his strong start to the season:
I feel good, but I could still do a little better in some areas. I kind of have mixed feelings about my game. I know I have a little bit more to give. That's always my mentality. I'm not very satisfied with anything. I always try to be better and I always try to push myself. I'm happy where we're at as a group, but I'm always trying to push myself as hard as I can. I don't really look at my numbers. I know that we're 7-2-1 as a team, and that's impressive with a young squad with a lot of new faces on defense. I'm just trying to help us win as many games as possible. That's what I'm most proud of. That's the most important thing. If we win 1-0 or even 10-8, I'll still be happy because it's a team sport. That's why I play the game, to win. I don't look at where I'm ranked nationally in terms of my stats. I'm focused on the team, working hard, doing my best, and improving every single day.

Dobes on making key improvements heading into his sophomore year:
I was definitely more ready for the season than I was last fall. I stayed on campus more and worked with our strength coach. He's really hard on us, but I like that. He made me stronger, faster, and more explosive. I also made the most of time with my strength coach Jeff LoVecchio in St. Louis. It was a good combination over the summer. I trained harder than ever, and it really showed in the testing. I just tried to give my body the best possible momentum for the season, and it's working. I don't really get tired during games. I just keep going and I feel like I'm available to play every night. Jeff has been a great resource for me. He's a mental coach, too. He's very good with meditation, goal setting, and just focusing on the little things that many people don't necessarily pay attention to. He gives me a new perspective on things. I'm happy to have him on my side.

Dobes on the impact of Buckeyes volunteer assistant coach Dustin Carlson on his play:
The one thing I like the most about Dustin is that he's really good at listening. We always have good conversations about hockey. He doesn't put too much pressure on me. He's good at keeping me calm before big games against good opponents with a solid pre-scout. Dustin really makes me like the game even more. From a technical standpoint, he was the guy who explained the intricacies of college hockey to me when I got to Ohio State. He told me how I needed to play to have success, and things have definitely worked out. He's helping me with being more patient, standing on my feet more, and using my hands correctly. But, he's also stressing the importance of being more aggressive in certain situations. It's a good working relationship. He's a good communicator, and I can talk to him about anything.

Dobes on attending the upcoming Canadiens games at Nationwide Arena:
We're at home, so I'll be there. I was there last April, too. It's exciting to be in the stands. I don't want to think too far ahead about playing for the Habs one day, but it's fun to cheer for them. It's a different feeling watching them in person. You kind of feel like you're a part of something, even though you aren't really there yet. I think my girlfriend, Marley, will be coming to the games with me. If she doesn't want to go, though, I'll take someone else. A lot of guys on our team like to watch the Blue Jackets, so it won't be hard to find someone. (Laughs) It'll be fun to see Cole Caufield. It's impressive that he can put the puck in the net so effortlessly. I've also been really impressed with the way Kaiden Guhle and Arber Xhekaj have really stepped up. I also know Chris Wideman a little bit because he's from St. Louis and we both work with Jeff during the offseason.

Dobes on majoring in international business administration:
I just started my first business class this semester, accounting. It's a battle. I've never studied more in my life. (Laughs) I got the highest grade on the team on my first exam and pretty much a lot of people I know, so I was impressed with myself. I still don't think the class is easy, though. I'm just trying to do my best. I'm giving business a chance. It's a hard major when you're playing so much hockey. We'll see if this is my path in school after the semester, but right now I want to pursue it. I'll try to get into Accounting II, which is even harder. The bottom line is I'm definitely putting in the work to get my best results.

Dobes on the best part about being a Buckeye:
When you're a Buckeye, you're always competing to be the best. There's no thinking about finishing second. You're always going for first place. Everyone is so competitive and so focused on winning. It's a lot like my personality. I'm so focused on hockey and winning that I want to win no matter what. I'm very fortunate to be a part of a program that allows me to be the best I can be. There are a lot of good players in front of me that help me, so I'm lucky to be competing for wins no matter who the opponent is.

Dobes on his primary hockey influence:
The one player I really like to watch is Andrei Vasilevskiy from Tampa Bay. People think that we kind of play the same way. I feel like that's a good thing because he's one of the best goalies in the world. If I can take certain things from his game and incorporate them into my game, I'd be really happy. I really try to be myself, though. I have pretty much my own style. I'm not necessarily trying to be like him, but if I have a chance to watch some video, I'm watching him. I'm always looking for some pieces to add to my game.

Cover photo credit: Ohio State Department of Athletics