Jakub Zbořil (born 21 February 1997) is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing with HC Dynamo Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga (ELH). He was selected by the Boston Bruins in the first round, 13th overall, at the 2015 NHL entry draft.
| Jakub Zbořil | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Zbořil with the Boston Bruins in 2015 | |||
| Born |
21 February 1997 Brno, Czech Republic | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 191 lb (87 kg; 13 st 9 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| ELH team Former teams |
HC Dynamo Pardubice Boston Bruins HC Kometa Brno | ||
| National team |
 Czech Republic | ||
| NHL draft |
13th overall, 2015 Boston Bruins | ||
| Playing career | 2017–present | ||
Playing career
editAmateur
editZbořil was drafted by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the first round, fifth overall, of the 2014 CHL Import Draft.[1] His outstanding play with the Sea Dogs during the 2014–15 season was recognized when he was named to the 2014–15 QMJHL All-Rookie Team.[2]
Professional
editBoston Bruins
editLeading up to the 2015 NHL Entry Draft on 26 June 2015, Zbořil was named as a top-rated prospect and was widely projected to be a first round selection at the draft.[3][4] He was ultimately selected by the Boston Bruins with the 13th overall pick, acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Milan Lucic, one of three consecutive first-round selections by the Bruins, along with Jake DeBrusk (14th overall) and Zachary Senyshyn (15th overall). On 15 July, Zbořil signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins.[5]
It would not be until the 2018–19 season, with a depleted defensive corps at the time, that Zbořil would play his first NHL game with the Bruins. Zbořil made his NHL debut on 16 November 2018, in a 1–0 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars.[6] However, he only appeared in two games for the Bruins that year before returning to the minors.
On 8 September 2020, with the North American season to be delayed, Zbořil was loaned by the Bruins to join Czech Extraliga club, HC Kometa Brno, to begin the 2020–21 season until the commencement of the Bruins training camp.[7] While on loan with Brno, Zbořil as a restricted free agent with the Bruins, was signed to a two-year, $1.45 million extension on 14 October 2020.[8] He appeared in his third game with the Bruins in the delayed season opener on 14 January 2021, against the New Jersey Devils.[citation needed] On 23 January, Zbořil recorded his first NHL point, an assist, in a 6–1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.[9] Throughout the shortened season, Zbořil was in-and-out of the Bruins lineup. In 42 total games, he had nine assists.
For the first time in his NHL career, Zbořil made the Bruins opening night roster to start the 2021–22 season.[10] Although he started off as the team's seventh defenceman, once again going in-and-out of the lineup, by the Thanksgiving break, Zbořil had played himself into a regular role in the Bruins' starting lineup. Unfortunately, he was injured on 2 December 2021, in a game against the Nashville Predators. It was later revealed that he had suffered a torn ACL, and would miss the rest of the season.[11] He finished the season with three assists in 10 games.
Coming off his injury season, Zbořil once again made the opening night roster for the Bruins to start the 2022–23 season,[12] and once again served as the team's seventh defenceman. However, unlike the prior year, he was unable to play himself into a regular role in the lineup. On 12 November 2022, Zbořil scored his first NHL goal in a 3–1 win over the Buffalo Sabres, which ended up being the game-winner.[13] It would be his only goal of the season, and he would add three assists for a total of four points in 22 games during the season.
Zbořil did not make the NHL roster to start the 2023–24 season, and on 7 October 2023, he was waived by the Bruins.[14] After clearing waivers, he reported to Boston's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins, where he had not played since the 2019–20 season.[15][16] On 13 December, the Bruins announced that they had placed Zbořil on waivers again in order to accommodate his request to play for another organization. He cleared once again, and continued playing for Providence.[citation needed]
Columbus Blue Jackets
editOn 8 March 2024, unable to find success in the Bruins organization, Zbořil was traded along with a 2027 third-round pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Andrew Peeke.[17] He was subsequently assigned the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.[18]
Remaining unsigned from the Blue Jackets entering the 2024–25 season, Zbořil signed a professional tryout with the New Jersey Devils on September 5, 2024.[19]
On October 20, 2024, Zbořil signed a five-year contract with HC Dynamo Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga.[20]
Career statistics
editRegular season and playoffs
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2011–12 | HC Kometa Brno | CZE U18 | 35 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 69 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13 | HC Kometa Brno | CZE U18 | 27 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 70 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 2013–14 | HC Kometa Brno | CZE U18 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 14 | ||
| 2013–14 | HC Kometa Brno | CZE U20 | 36 | 5 | 16 | 21 | 57 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 44 | 13 | 20 | 33 | 73 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 18 | ||
| 2015–16 | Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 50 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 57 | 17 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 6 | ||
| 2016–17 | Saint John Sea Dogs | QMJHL | 50 | 9 | 32 | 41 | 44 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | ||
| 2017–18 | Providence Bruins | AHL | 68 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 38 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2018–19 | Providence Bruins | AHL | 56 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 38 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Providence Bruins | AHL | 58 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | HC Kometa Brno | ELH | 18 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 42 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2021–22 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 10 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 22 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | Providence Bruins | AHL | 31 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | Cleveland Monsters | AHL | 15 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 18 | ||
| NHL totals | 76 | 1 | 15 | 16 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
International
edit| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing Czech Republic
| ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| IIHF U18 Championships | ||
 |
2014 Finland | |
| Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament | ||
| |
2014 Czech Republic/Slovakia | |
 |
2013 Czech Republic/Slovakia | |
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Czech Republic | IH18 | 
|
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
| 2014 | Czech Republic | U18 | 
|
7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | |
| 2014 | Czech Republic | IH18 |
|
5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 8 | |
| 2015 | Czech Republic | U18 | 6th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
| 2016 | Czech Republic | WJC | 5th | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 31 | |
| 2017 | Czech Republic | WJC | 6th | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 10 | |
| 2023 | Czech Republic | WC | 8th | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| Junior totals | 29 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 65 | ||||
| Senior totals | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||
Awards and honours
edit| Honours | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament bronze medal | 2013 | [21] |
| IIHF World U18 Championship silver medal | 2014 | [22] |
| Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament silver medal | 2014 | [23] |
| QMJHL All-Rookie Team | 2015 | [24] |
| President's Cup champion | 2017 |
References
edit- ^ "Dogs select Czech d-man 5th overall". stationnation.ca. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
- ^ "QMJHL announces All-Rookie Team". National Hockey League. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ "NHL Combine: Czech out Jakub Zboril's game". Boston Herald. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ "Jakub Zboril the next ones 2015 draft profile". thehockeywriters.com. 15 June 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
- ^ "B's sign defenseman Jakub Zboril to an entry-level contract". Boston Bruins. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ^ Russo, Eric (16 November 2018). "Bruins Earn A Point in OT Loss to Dallas". Boston Bruins. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Overseas reinforcements!" (in Czech). isport.cz. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
- ^ "Bruins sign Jakub Zboril, Greg McKegg and Callum Booth". Boston Bruins. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
- ^ Kalman, Matt (23 January 2021). "Bruins score six, hold Flyers to 17 shots to complete two-game sweep". NHL.com. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Doyle, Ricky (11 October 2021). "Bruins Reveal Initial Roster For 2021-22 NHL Season". NESN.com. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Jakub Zboril out rest of season for Bruins with torn ACL". Causeway Crowd. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Ounpraseuth, Jason (11 October 2022). "NHL Announces Bruins Opening Night Roster For 2022-23 Season". NESN.com. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Rivera, Gio (13 November 2022). "How Jakub Zboril Reacted To Heroic First NHL Goal In Bruins Win". NESN.com. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Bruins put Jakub Zboril, Oskar Steen and Jesper Boqvist on waivers". Boston Herald. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Bruins, Providence (12 October 2023). "Providence Bruins announce opening night roster". www.providencebruins.com. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Murphy, Jimmy (8 October 2023). "Bruins Place Brown And Greer On Waivers; Zboril Clears". Boston Hockey Now. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Blue Jackets acquire Jakub Zboril, third round pick in 2027 NHL Draft from Boston Bruins in exchange for Andrew Peeke". NHL.com. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Blue Jackets Assign Defenseman Jakub Zboril to Monsters". OurSports Central. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Flannery, Kristy (5 September 2024). "Devils Invite 2 Players to Join Training Camp on Professional Tryout Contracts". The Hockey News. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ O'Brien, Derek (20 October 2024). "Surprise: Jakub Zbořil Signs In Czechia But Not With Kometa Brno". The International News, Analysis, and More. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Czech Republic U18 at eliteprospects.com". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ "2015 NHL Draft profile: Jakub Zboril". lastwordonsports.com. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
- ^ "Jakub Zboril prospect profile". hockeysfuture.com. 2 January 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
- ^ "The Golden Puck Awards, an unforgettable evening". Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database