David Wilkie, a defender for the Montreal Canadiens, has developed a strong ability to evaluate goalkeepers, particularly through his experiences with legendary coach François Allaire. He believes Jakub Dobes, whom he recruited in 2019, will become the team’s starting goalie. Despite facing challenges in his early career, Dobes has shown remarkable growth, leading to his successful NHL debut. Wilkie sees potential in Dobes, highlighting his height and athleticism as advantages in the competitive league.
David Wilkie’s Vision for Goalkeeping
David Wilkie, the first-round pick and defender for the Montreal Canadiens, has honed his skills in evaluating goalies through firsthand experience. Under the mentorship of legendary goaltending coach François Allaire, he had the opportunity to shoot pucks at the iconic Patrick Roy, which has shaped his keen eye for talent in the net.
In 2019, it was this sharp instinct that led him to recruit Jakub Dobes, a remarkably athletic Czech player who was then competing in AAA in St. Louis. Fast forward to today, and Wilkie envisions Dobes as the future starting goalie for the Montreal Canadiens.
“I really like Jacob Fowler,” Wilkie remarked, acknowledging his ability to spot talent in goalies, “but I believe Dobes will eventually take the helm as the starting goalie in Montreal.” Having previously coached Dobes during his two seasons with the Omaha Lancers, Wilkie has witnessed his growth firsthand, particularly during Dobes’ draft year in 2020.
Overcoming Challenges to Shine
Wilkie proudly observed Dobes’ first two NHL games, yet his calm demeanor when discussing Dobes’ impressive performances raised some eyebrows. It was as if he anticipated this success all along. “He’s big and athletic. Like [Dominik] Hasek, he can make saves he’s not supposed to,” Wilkie explained, reflecting on the potential he always saw in Dobes.
However, this potential was not immediately apparent to everyone during the 2020 season when Dobes faced significant challenges, including being pulled from ten consecutive games. “It was a tough season for him, which is why he slipped to the fifth round,” Wilkie noted, emphasizing that Dobes could have easily been drafted in the second or third round instead.
Much credit for recognizing Dobes’ abilities goes to the Canadiens’ goalie scout, Vincent Riendeau, who had a keen understanding of the young goalie’s potential. “Dobes needed to mature and learn to manage setbacks better,” Wilkie recalled. “He started the season strong but then struggled, falling into a negative spiral.”
Fortunately, by the end of the season, Dobes experienced a breakthrough that helped him become mentally resilient. Wilkie proudly recounted, “There was a turning point. He began to understand and grow stronger mentally.” The contrast between Dobes’ earlier struggles and his composed performances in his first NHL starts is remarkable, drawing comparisons to Carey Price.
Reflecting on his own journey, Wilkie recalls how beginning with shooting at Patrick Roy’s pads initiated his fascination with goaltending. “They called it ‘goalie school,’ and it set the foundation for my understanding of the position,” he said. This passion led him to scout and develop promising goalies, including his latest find, Michal Hrabal, who recently helped the Czech Republic secure a bronze medal at the World Junior Championship.
Wilkie believes that Dobes’ height gives him an advantage in the competitive NHL landscape, stating, “Tall, thin guys cover more of the net.” With the competition heating up between Dobes, Samuel Montembeault, and Fowler, Wilkie remains confident in Dobes’ potential. “He’s the real deal,” he remarked, foreseeing a bright future for the young goalie.