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Dominik Kubalík

Dominik Kubalík
Born (1995-08-21) 21 August 1995 (age 29)
Plzeň, Czech Republic
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 179 lb (81 kg; 12 st 11 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NL team
Former teams
HC Ambrì-Piotta
HC Plzeň
Chicago Blackhawks
Detroit Red Wings
Ottawa Senators
National team  Czech Republic
NHL draft 191st overall, 2013
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2012–present

Dominik Kubalík (born 21 August 1995) is a Czech professional ice hockey player who plays for HC Ambrì-Piotta in the National League (NL). He was drafted in the seventh round, 191st overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Amateur play

Kubalík spent the 2012–13 season with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). After scoring 34 points in 67 games, he was selected in the seventh round (191st overall) by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.[1] Kubalík returned to the Wolves for the 2013–14 season. On 10 January 2014, Kubalík (along with two second-round draft picks) was traded to the Kitchener Rangers in exchange for Radek Faksa.[2][3]

On 8 April 2014, Kubalík returned to HC Plzeň on a two-year contract.[4] On 25 August 2017, Kubalík signed a three-year contract with HC Ambrì-Piotta of the National League (NL).[5] He split the 2017–18 season between HC Ambrì-Piotta and HC Plzeň (while on loan).

Chicago Blackhawks

On 24 January 2019, Kubalík's NHL rights were traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2019 fifth-round pick.[6] He finished the 2018–19 season with 57 points in 50 games, and was named the Switzerland Hockey National League's most valuable player.[7]

On 29 May 2019, the Blackhawks signed Kubalík to a one-year, $925,000 contract.[8] On 10 October 2019, Kubalík scored his first career NHL goal in a 5–4 loss to the San Jose Sharks.[9] In his first season he played on a line with Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad.[10] On 27 February 2020, Kubalík recorded his first career NHL hat-trick in a 5–2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. All 3 of Kubalík's goals came in the third period.[11] He finished the regular season with 30 goals and 16 assists for 46 points in 68 games. On 15 July 2020, Kubalík was named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy (alongside Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar), which is awarded to the league's best first-year player.[12] He was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team.[13]

The Blackhawks met the Edmonton Oilers in the 2020 Qualifying Round.[14] In Game 1 of the series, Kubalík recorded 2 goals and 3 assists in a 6–4 win. His 5 points were the most scored in an NHL postseason debut in league history.[15] Kubalík also scored the game winner in Game 4 to eliminate the Oilers.[16] In the following series versus the top-seeded Vegas Golden Knights, Kubalík was held to just two points as the Blackhawks were eliminated in five games.[17] Following that first season, Kubalík's production declined as Saad left the team, and Toews missed the season. His second season was marked with only 17 goals and then his final season in Chicago, 15 goals.[10]

Detroit Red Wings

As an impending restricted free agent following the conclusion of his contract on completion of the 2021–22 season, Kubalík was not tendered a qualifying offer by the rebuilding Blackhawks, and was released to free agency on 12 July 2022.[18] On the opening day of free agency on 13 July, Kubalík signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings.[19][20] Kubalík hoped for a fresh start with the Red Wings, after struggling in his final year with the Blackhawks.[10] In his first season with the Red Wings, Kubalík registered 20 goals and 45 points in 81 games.[21] He scored against his former team, the Blackhawks, on 9 March 2023 in a 4–3 win.[22]

Ottawa Senators

On 9 July 2023, Kubalík was traded to the Ottawa Senators, along with Donovan Sebrango, a conditional first-round pick in 2024 and a fourth-round pick in 2024, in exchange for Alex DeBrincat.[23]

HC Ambri-Piotta

On 4 September 2024, Kubalík signed a deal with Swiss club HC Ambri-Piotta. The deal includes an NHL opt-out clause, letting him sign with an NHL team and leaving his current team before 15 December.[24]

Personal life

Kubalík's older brother, Tomáš, was a fifth-round draft pick by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and played 12 games for the organization. He most recently played in the Czech Extraliga.

International play

Medal record
Representing  Czech Republic
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2024 Czechia

Kubalík represented Czechia at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and won a gold medal.[25]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 HC Plzeň 1929 CZE U18 42 38 21 59 32 6 4 2 6 2
2011–12 HC Plzeň 1929 CZE U18 20 22 16 38 12 2 3 0 3 2
2011–12 HC Plzeň 1929 CZE U20 24 11 6 17 22 2 1 2 3 0
2011–12 HC Plzeň 1929 ELH 8 1 0 1 0
2012–13 Sudbury Wolves OHL 67 17 17 34 25 9 3 3 6 4
2013–14 Sudbury Wolves OHL 36 13 10 23 35
2013–14 Kitchener Rangers OHL 23 5 1 6 11
2014–15 HC Škoda Plzeň CZE U20 16 18 9 27 14 4 3 2 5 2
2014–15 HC Škoda Plzeň ELH 35 3 4 7 35 4 1 1 2 2
2014–15 HC Rebel Havlíčkův Brod Czech.1 4 1 1 2 4
2014–15 SHC Klatovy Czech.2 2 1 0 1 0
2015–16 HC Škoda Plzeň ELH 48 25 15 40 20 11 1 3 4 8
2016–17 HC Škoda Plzeň ELH 51 29 19 48 22 11 3 2 5 2
2017–18 HC Ambrì–Piotta NL 25 10 17 27 39
2017–18 HC Škoda Plzeň ELH 20 16 8 24 2
2018–19 HC Ambrì–Piotta NL 50 25 32 57 18 5 1 5 6 6
2019–20 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 68 30 16 46 16 9 4 4 8 4
2020–21 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 56 17 21 38 18
2021–22 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 78 15 17 32 16
2022–23 Detroit Red Wings NHL 81 20 25 45 24
2023–24 Ottawa Senators NHL 74 11 4 15 19
ELH totals 162 74 46 120 79 26 5 6 11 12
NL totals 75 35 49 84 57 5 1 5 6 6
NHL totals 357 93 83 176 93 9 4 4 8 4

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2013 Czech Republic U18 7th 5 0 5 5 14
2015 Czech Republic WJC 6th 5 1 0 1 0
2018 Czech Republic OG 4th 5 2 0 2 2
2018 Czech Republic WC 7th 8 3 5 8 0
2019 Czech Republic WC 4th 10 6 6 12 0
2021 Czechia WC 7th 7 3 3 6 0
2023 Czechia WC 8th 8 8 4 12 0
2024 Czechia WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 5 3 8 4
Junior totals 10 1 5 6 14
Senior totals 48 27 21 48 6

Awards and honors

Award Year Ref
NL
PostFinance Top Scorer 2019 [26]
NHL
All-Rookie Team 2020 [13]
International
World Championship Media All-Star Team 2023 [27]

References

  1. ^ Leeson, Brad (1 July 2013). "Kings crown Kubalik". The Sudbury Star. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Kubalik traded for first-round NHL pick, Faksa". sudbury.com. 9 January 2014. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Dallas Stars Prospect Update: Radek Faksa, Gemel Smith Traded Within The OHL". 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Dosavadní vývoj hráčského kádru" [Development of the player squad to date] (in Czech). HC Škoda Plzeň. 8 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  5. ^ "HC Ambrì-Piotta confirms signing of Dominik Kubalik". HC Ambrì-Piotta. 25 August 2017. Archived from the original on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2023 – via Swiss Hockey News.
  6. ^ "Blackhawks acquire Dominik Kubalik". Chicago Blackhawks. 24 January 2019. Archived from the original on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  7. ^ "Dominik Kubalík elected "MVP" of the 2018-19 regular season". Swiss Hockey News. 7 March 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  8. ^ "Release: Blackhawks agree to terms with Kubalik". Chicago Blackhawks. 29 May 2019. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  9. ^ Roumeliotis, Charlie. "Instant reaction: Sharks overcome four deficits as Blackhawks drop home opener". NBC Sports Chicago. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  10. ^ a b c Kulfan, Ted (14 July 2022). "Red Wings notebook: Dominik Kubalik eager for 'fresh start' in Detroit". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Hat Trick For Kubalik As Blackhawks Rally Past Tampa Bay Lightning". CBS Chicago. 27 February 2020. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  12. ^ Satriano, David. "Calder Trophy finalists announced". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  13. ^ a b Baum, Carter (21 September 2020). "Blog: Kubalik Named to 2020 NHL All-Rookie Team". Chicago Blackhawks. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  14. ^ Seravalli, Frank (26 May 2020). "NHL outlines 24-team return-to-play format, June 26 Draft Lottery". TSN. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  15. ^ Morreale, Mike G. "Blackhawks defeat Oilers in Game 1 of Cup Qualifiers". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  16. ^ "Blackhawks eliminate Oilers from Stanley Cup Playoffs contention". Sportsnet. The Canadian Press. 7 August 2020. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  17. ^ Blackburn, Pete (19 August 2020). "Stanley Cup Playoffs 2020: Five reasons the Blackhawks were eliminated by the Golden Knights". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  18. ^ Roumeliotis, Chris (11 July 2022). "Blackhawks won't tender offers to Kubalik, Strome". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  19. ^ St. James, Helen (13 July 2022). "Detroit Red Wings' Steve Yzerman adds forward Dominik Kubalik in NHL free agency". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  20. ^ Roth, Thomas (13 July 2022). "Red Wings sign Dominik Kubalik to two-year contract". Detroit Red Wings. Archived from the original on 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  21. ^ "Senators trade DeBrincat to Red Wings for Kubalik, Sebrango, and two draft picks". TSN. 9 July 2023. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Dominik Kubalik's retribution, Alex Chiasson's 'special night' lift Red Wings". mlive.com. 9 March 2023. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Sens acquire players and picks from Detroit in trade for Alex Debrincat". Ottawa Senators. 9 July 2023. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023 – via NHL.com.
  24. ^ "Ex-Senators F Kubalik signs in Switzerland with NHL opt-out clause". The Sports Network. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  25. ^ "Czechs strike gold on home ice". IIHF.com. 26 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  26. ^ ""Top Scorer" award ceremony 2019 – focus on young talent". PostFinance. 26 March 2019. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  27. ^ O'Brien, Derek (28 May 2023). "Silovs MVP, All-Stars named". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 29 May 2023.