Dominik Kubalík Explained
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 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
Kubalík represented Czechia at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and won a gold medal.[25]
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| | | | |
|---|
| Team | League | GP | | | | | 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 Czech 2. Liga season | 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
Awards and honors
Notes and References
- Web site: Kings crown Kubalik . The Sudbury Star . Leeson . Brad . 1 July 2013 . 6 August 2023.
- Web site: Kubalik traded for first-round NHL pick, Faksa . sudbury.com . 9 January 2014 . 6 August 2023 . 6 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230806210639/https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/kubalik-traded-for-first-round-nhl-pick-faksa-248718 . live .
- Web site: Dallas Stars Prospect Update: Radek Faksa, Gemel Smith Traded Within The OHL. 10 January 2014. 10 January 2014. 9 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309173806/http://www.defendingbigd.com/2014/1/10/5294666/dallas-stars-prospect-update-radek-faksa-gemel-smith-traded-ohl-trade-deadline. dead.
- Web site: Dosavadní vývoj hráčského kádru . 8 April 2014 . HC Škoda Plzeň . czech . Development of the player squad to date . 8 April 2014.
- Web site: HC Ambrì-Piotta confirms signing of Dominik Kubalik . HC Ambrì-Piotta . Swiss Hockey News . 25 August 2017 . 6 August 2023 . 29 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190129181330/https://www.swisshockeynews.ch/index.php/shn/11-swiss-ice-hockey/nla/9834-confirmed-dominik-kubalik-signs-with-hc-ambri-piotta . live .
- Web site: Blackhawks acquire Dominik Kubalik . . 24 January 2019 . 24 January 2019 . 29 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190129064107/https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-acquire-dominik-kubalik/c-304202984?tid=281481118 . live .
- Web site: Dominik Kubalík elected "MVP" of the 2018-19 regular season . Swiss Hockey News . 7 March 2019 . 8 March 2019 . 27 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210127234559/https://swisshockeynews.ch/index.php/shn/11-swiss-ice-hockey/nla/14412-dominik-kubalik-elected-mvp-of-the-2018-19-regular-season . live .
- Web site: Release: Blackhawks agree to terms with Kubalik . Chicago Blackhawks . 29 May 2019 . 29 May 2019 . 29 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190529184631/https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-agree-to-terms-with-kubalik/c-307590186 . live .
- Web site: Roumeliotis . Charlie . Instant reaction: Sharks overcome four deficits as Blackhawks drop home opener . NBC Sports Chicago . 10 October 2019 . 9 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220209140750/https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/blackhawks/instant-reaction-sharks-overcome-four-deficits-blackhawks-drop-home-opener . live .
- Web site: Red Wings notebook: Dominik Kubalik eager for 'fresh start' in Detroit . Kulfan . Ted . The Detroit News . 14 July 2022 . 6 August 2023 . 6 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230806204353/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2022/07/14/detroit-red-wings-defense-sign-mark-pysyk/10057938002/ . live .
- Web site: Hat Trick For Kubalik As Blackhawks Rally Past Tampa Bay Lightning . CBS Chicago . 27 February 2020 . 27 February 2020 . 28 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200228180723/https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/02/27/hat-trick-for-kubalik-as-blackhawks-rally-past-tampa-bay-lightning/ . live .
- Web site: Satriano . David . Calder Trophy finalists announced . National Hockey League . 15 July 2020 . 25 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220425193544/https://www.nhl.com/news/calder-trophy-finalists-hughes-kubalik-makar/c-317334814?sf125326588=1 . live .
- Web site: Blog: Kubalik Named to 2020 NHL All-Rookie Team . Baum . Carter . Chicago Blackhawks . 21 September 2020 . 6 August 2023 . 6 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230806210857/https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/blog-kubalik-named-to-2020-nhl-all-rookie-team/c-319132066 . live .
- Web site: Seravalli . Frank . NHL outlines 24-team return-to-play format, June 26 Draft Lottery . TSN . 26 May 2020 . 26 May 2020 . 5 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200605144602/https://www.tsn.ca/nhl-outlines-24-team-return-to-play-format-june-26-draft-lottery-1.1479776 . live .
- Web site: Morreale . Mike G. . Blackhawks defeat Oilers in Game 1 of Cup Qualifiers . National Hockey League . 1 August 2020 . 4 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200804120950/https://www.nhl.com/news/chicago-blackhawks-edmonton-oilers-game-1-recap/c-317513654 . live .
- Web site: Blackhawks eliminate Oilers from Stanley Cup Playoffs contention . Sportsnet . The Canadian Press . 7 August 2020 . 6 August 2023 . 6 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220206213527/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/blackhawks-eliminate-oilers-stanley-cup-playoffs-contention/ . live .
- Web site: Stanley Cup Playoffs 2020: Five reasons the Blackhawks were eliminated by the Golden Knights . Blackburn . Pete . CBS Sports . 19 August 2020 . 6 August 2023 . 6 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230806210637/https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/stanley-cup-playoffs-2020-five-reasons-the-blackhawks-were-eliminated-by-the-golden-knights/ . live .
- Web site: Blackhawks won't tender offers to Kubalik, Strome . . Roumeliotis . Chris . 11 July 2022 . 11 July 2022 . 11 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220711130454/https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/blackhawks/sources-blackhawks-wont-extend-qualifying-offers-dominik-kubalik-dylan-strome . live .
- Web site: Detroit Red Wings' Steve Yzerman adds forward Dominik Kubalik in NHL free agency . Detroit Free Press . St. James . Helen . 13 July 2022 . 13 July 2022 . 13 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220713195908/https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2022/07/13/detroit-red-wings-free-agent-forward-dominik-kubalik/10051508002/ . live .
- Web site: Red Wings sign Dominik Kubalik to two-year contract . Roth . Thomas . Detroit Red Wings . 13 July 2022 . 13 July 2022 . 13 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220713201846/https://www.nhl.com/redwings/news/red-wings-sign-dominik-kubalik-to-two-year-contract/c-334963960 . live .
- Web site: Senators trade DeBrincat to Red Wings for Kubalik, Sebrango, and two draft picks . TSN . 9 July 2023 . 6 August 2023 . 6 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230806204355/https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/ottawa-senators-trade-alex-debrincat-to-detroit-red-wings-for-dominik-kubalik-prospect-draft-picks-1.1982759 . live .
- Web site: Dominik Kubalik's retribution, Alex Chiasson's 'special night' lift Red Wings . mlive.com . 9 March 2023 . 6 August 2023 . 6 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230806204354/https://www.mlive.com/redwings/2023/03/dominik-kubaliks-retribution-alex-chiassons-special-night-lift-red-wings.html . live .
- Web site: Sens acquire players and picks from Detroit in trade for Alex Debrincat . Ottawa Senators . NHL.com . 9 July 2023 . 9 July 2023 . 10 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230710001549/https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/ottawa-senators-acquire-two-players-two-draft-picks-from-detroit-in-exchange-for-alex-debrincat/c-345282564 . live .
- Web site: 4 September 2024 . Ex-Senators F Kubalik signs in Switzerland with NHL opt-out clause . 5 September 2024 . The Sports Network.
- Web site: Czechs strike gold on home ice . IIHF.com . 26 May 2024 . 26 May 2024.
- Web site: "Top Scorer" award ceremony 2019 – focus on young talent . PostFinance . 26 March 2019 . 6 August 2023 . 6 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230806211454/https://www.postfinance.ch/en/about-us/company/pioneer-stories/top-scorer-award-ceremony-2019.html . live .
- Web site: O'Brien . Derek . Silovs MVP, All-Stars named . International Ice Hockey Federation . 29 May 2023 . 28 May 2023.
