Devan Dubnyk

Devan Dubnyk (born May 4, 1986) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, 14th overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Dubnyk was born in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Devan Dubnyk
Dubnyk in 2012
Born	May 4, 1986 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight	224 lb (102 kg; 16 st 0 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
NHL team Former teams	San Jose Sharks Edmonton Oilers Nashville Predators Arizona Coyotes Minnesota Wild
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	14th overall, 2004 Edmonton Oilers
Playing career	2006–present

Playing career

Amateur

Dubnyk spent his junior career with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Between 2001 and 2006, he played in 192 games for the Blazers, compiling an 83–87–14 record, 2.70 goals against average (GAA), .911 save percentage and 15 shutouts. At the conclusion of the 2003–04 season, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) named Dubnyk the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year as the CHL player "best able to combine success on the ice and in school."

During the 2004 off-season, Dubnyk was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, 14th overall, at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Edmonton Oilers

Dubnyk while playing for the Springfield Falcons.

Dubnyk began his professional career in 2006 with the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL where he compiled a strong 24–11–7 record. His 24 wins, 2.56 GAA and .921 save percentage set club records and he was selected to be an ECHL All-Star for the 2006–07 season.[1] In 2007–08, he began to play full-time for what was then Edmonton's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Falcons. In three seasons with the Falcons, Dubnyk played 128 games, compiling a 40–75–4 record. In 2008–09, Dubnyk set a club record for most appearances by a goaltender with 62.[2]

Dubnyk was called up by Edmonton early in the 2009–10 season after Oilers starting goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin underwent season-ending back surgery. For the remainder of the season, he served as the team's back-up to Jeff Deslauriers. Dubnyk made his first NHL appearance on November 28, 2009, replacing Deslauriers in a 7–3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, allowing three goals on 24 shots.[3] He recorded his first career NHL win on March 19, 2010, via a shootout with the Detroit Red Wings; Dubnyk made 31 saves in the win.[4] On March 21, Dubnyk recorded the first regulation win of his career, making 27 saves in a 5–1 victory over the San Jose Sharks.[5] On July 13, 2010, Edmonton re-signed Dubnyk to a two-year contract.[6]

The 2010–11 season was Dubnyk's first full season in the NHL, beginning the year as Nikolai Khabibulin's backup. Injuries to Khabibulin, however, combined with strong play from Dubnyk, resulted in the latter registering over 30 starts for the Oilers. Dubnyk ultimately finished the season with a 12–13–8 record for a last-place Oilers squad, impressing the Oilers coaching staff. Then-Edmonton Head Coach Tom Renney summed up Dubnyk's season: "As much as we had an idea of how much we wanted to play him, we've played him more, and he's made the best of it."[7] On February 7, 2011, Dubnyk earned his first career shutout after stopping 37 shots in a 4–0 win against the Nashville Predators.[8] He closed out his season by earning back-to-back wins against the President's Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks, stopping 46 of 47 shots against in the process.[9]

Dubnyk with the Oilers in January 2012

On October 9, 2011, Dubnyk started his first career season opener, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 2–1 in the shootout while stopping 35 shots in the process. Dubnyk, however, struggled at the beginning of the 2011–12 season, recording four wins in his first 13 games along with a 3.03 GAA and a 0.902 save percentage, allowing Nikolai Khabibulin to temporarily reclaim the starter's role. As Khabibulin began to struggle, however, Dubnyk reclaimed a large portion of Edmonton's starting opportunities, finishing with a strong second half to the season. Dubnyk earned his chance to be the starting goaltender in March 2012, posting a 6–2–1 record with a 1.95 GAA and a .934 save percentage and starting 12 of the Oilers' final 13 games. At that point, he had not surrendered more than three goals in 20-straight games, and also won 16 of the Oilers' final 17 games. During the subsequent off-season, on July 6, Dubnyk signed a two-year, $7 million contract extension with Edmonton.

In the 48-game, shortened 2012–13 season, Dubnyk, for the first time in his career, opened the year as the Oilers' starting goaltender. The Oilers ultimately finished 12th in the Western Conference, missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.[10] Dubnyk, however, enjoyed relative success, ending the season with a 2.57 GAA and a .920 save percentage in 14 wins and 22 losses, his then-best career NHL statistics, sufficient enough to earn him a second year to be a starter.[11]

Despite the previous season's personal success, Dubnyk struggled to begin the 2013–14 season, and faced a threat to his starting job by newly signed veteran Ilya Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov, however, was injured in just his third game for the Oilers, temporarily solidifying Dubnyk as Edmonton's starter.

Nashville Predators, Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes

On January 15, 2014, Edmonton traded Dubnyk to the Nashville Predators in exchange for forward Matt Hendricks.[12] After starting in only two games as a Predator, Dubnyk was sent to the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals on March 3 to accommodate goaltender Pekka Rinne's return from long-term injured reserve.[13] Two days later, on March 5, Dubnyk was again traded, this time to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for future considerations from Nashville. He was then immediately assigned to Montreal's AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, failing to make an appearance for Montreal.[14]

On July 1, 2014, as an unrestricted free agent, Dubnyk signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Coyotes.[15] He recorded a 9–5–2 record with the Coyotes, crediting Arizona Goaltending Coach Sean Burke for helping him regain his confidence and form in goal.[16]

Minnesota Wild

In the midst of a return to form in the 2014–15 season as Mike Smith's backup with the Coyotes, on January 15, 2015, Dubnyk was traded from struggling Arizona to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.[17] Dubnyk immediately became Minnesota's starter. Minnesota was eight points out of a 2015 playoff spot when Dubnyk made his Wild debut, a shutout victory over the Buffalo Sabres. He would soon set a Minnesota franchise record with 38-straight starts following his acquisition, posting a 27–9–2 with a 1.78 GAA, .936 save percentage and five shutouts. He also was the winning goaltender in 11 of the Wild's 12 consecutive road wins, from February 18 to April 9, that tied the 2005–06 Detroit Red Wings for the longest such run in League history. Dubnyk and the Wild ultimately clinched a playoff berth, and on April 20, Dubnyk recorded his first career playoff shutout, blanking the St. Louis Blues in a 3–0 Wild victory in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. On April 24, Dubnyk was shortlisted as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, along with Montreal's Carey Price and Nashville's Pekka Rinne for goaltender of the year honours.[18]

At the NHL Awards Show on June 24, 2015, Dubnyk was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for helping lead the Wild to the playoffs while simultaneously resurrecting his career. He also finished third in Vezina Trophy voting and fourth in Hart Memorial Trophy voting, the latter as League MVP. While he was named in the NHL Second All-Star Team.[19]

On July 4, 2015, Dubnyk, as an unrestricted free agent, opted to remain with the Wild, signing a six-year, $26 million contract at an average annual value of $4.33 million. The terms of the deal were initially agreed-upon on June 26, just prior to his free agent status came into effect on July 1.[20] Dubnyk's high level of play continued, and he was named to his first NHL All-Star Game in January 2016.[21]

San Jose Sharks

On October 5, 2020, after a down season with the Wild, Dubnyk was traded to the San Jose Sharks, along with a 2022 seventh-round pick and 50% salary retention, in exchange for a 2022 fifth-round pick.[22] His debut came on January 18, 2021, in a 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Blues.[23]

International play

Devan Dubnyk

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Canada
World Junior Championships
	2006 Canada
Spengler Cup
	2012 Davos

Dubnyk was a member of Team Canada at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Vancouver, though he did not see any action behind starter Justin Pogge, who backstopped Canada to the gold medal.

Four years later, Dubnyk was named to the Canadian senior roster for the 2010 IIHF World Championship, though he also did not see any action in the tournament.[24]

At the conclusion of the 2010–11 season, Dubnyk was named to the Canadian roster for the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia.[25] He appeared in only one game for Canada, stopping all eight shots he faced in limited action against France.[26]

Shortly after finishing his season with the Oilers in 2011–12, Dubnyk again was named to Canada's roster for the 2012 IIHF World Championship in Finland and Sweden. Serving as a backup to Cam Ward, he made his tournament debut against France, stopping 19 saves of 21 shots in a 7–2 victory.[27] Five days later, he made his second appearance in the tournament, against Kazakhstan, earning a shutout in an 8–0 victory.[28] This was his final appearance in the tournament, as in the next game, starter Cam Ward and Canada were defeated by Slovakia in the tournament quarterfinal.

During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Dubnyk was named to participate in the 2012 Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland.[29] Along with fellow NHL goaltender Jonathan Bernier, Dubnyk shared net duties during the tournament's round-robin stage. After an overtime loss to German club Adler Mannheim in Canada's tournament debut, Dubnyk started the next match against HC Davos, stopping all 25 shots en route to a 5–0 win, and a spot in the tournament semi-finals.[30] Later, Dubnyk would face HC Fribourg-Gottéron in the semi-finals, saving 25 of 26 shots in 5–1 Canadian victory. In the tournament final, Dubnyk once again got the call, starting against HC Davos in a 7–2 victory. Dubnyk's made 28 saves from 30 shots as Canada won gold.[31]

Records

Minnesota Wild

• Most wins in a season: 40 (2016–17)

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season											Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	W	L	T	OTL	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%		GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2001–02	Kamloops Blazers	WHL		3	1	1	0	—	143	13	0	5.45	.838		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Kamloops Blazers	WHL		26	12	8	1	—	1279	66	2	3.10	.907		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Kamloops Blazers	WHL		44	20	18	5	—	2533	106	6	2.51	.917		4	1	3	245	12	0	2.94	.874
2004–05	Kamloops Blazers	WHL		65	23	34	7	—	3699	166	6	2.69	.912		6	2	4	363	22	0	3.64	.886
2005–06	Kamloops Blazers	WHL		54	27	26	—	1	3207	136	1	2.54	.912		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Stockton Thunder	ECHL		43	24	11	—	7	2529	108	2	2.56	.921		6	2	4	395	18	0	2.73	.913
2006–07	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		4	2	1	—	0	204	10	0	2.94	.855		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Springfield Falcons	AHL		33	9	17	—	0	1772	92	0	3.12	.904		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Springfield Falcons	AHL		62	18	41	—	2	3635	180	3	2.97	.906		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Springfield Falcons	AHL		33	13	17	—	2	1985	100	0	3.02	.915		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		19	4	10	—	2	1075	64	0	3.57	.889		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		35	12	13	—	8	2061	93	2	2.71	.916		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		47	20	20	—	3	2653	118	2	2.67	.914		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		38	14	16	—	6	2101	90	2	2.57	.920		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Edmonton Oilers	NHL		32	11	17	—	2	1678	94	2	3.36	.894		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Nashville Predators	NHL		2	0	1	—	1	124	9	0	4.35	.850		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Hamilton Bulldogs	AHL		8	2	5	—	1	415	23	2	3.33	.893		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Arizona Coyotes	NHL		19	9	5	—	2	1035	47	1	2.72	.916		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Minnesota Wild	NHL		39	27	9	—	2	2293	68	6	1.78	.936		10	4	6	570	24	1	2.53	.908
2015–16	Minnesota Wild	NHL		67	32	26	—	6	3862	150	5	2.33	.918		6	2	4	359	20	0	3.34	.877
2016–17	Minnesota Wild	NHL		65	40	19	—	5	3758	141	5	2.25	.923		5	1	4	323	10	1	1.86	.925
2017–18	Minnesota Wild	NHL		60	35	16	—	7	3451	145	5	2.52	.918		5	1	4	248	14	0	3.39	.908
2018–19	Minnesota Wild	NHL		67	31	28	—	6	3856	163	2	2.54	.913		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Minnesota Wild	NHL		30	12	15	—	2	1665	93	1	3.35	.890		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				520	247	195	—	52	29,611	1,275	32	2.58	.915		26	8	18	1,500	68	2	2.72	.904

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2004	Canada	U18		6	3	3	0	357	12	1	2.02	—
2011	Canada	WC		1	0	0	0	14	0	0	0.00	1.0000
2012	Canada	WC		2	2	0	0	120	2	1	1.00	0.956
2013	Canada	WC		4	4	0	0	242	6	0	1.48	0.913
Junior totals				6	3	3	0	357	12	1	2.02	—
Senior totals				7	6	0	0	376	8	1	1.28	.935

Awards and honours

Award	Year
WHL
CHL Top Prospects Game	2004
CHL Scholastic Player of the Year	2004
Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy	2004
NHL
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy	2015
Second All-Star Team	2015
NHL All-Star	2016, 2017, 2019

References

1. "Stockton Thunder team history". Stockton Thunder. Archived from the original on November 29, 2006. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
2. "Devan Dubnyk's early successes". hockeysfuture.com. May 6, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
3. "Canucks 7, Oilers 3". National Hockey League. November 29, 2009. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
4. "Red Wings rally from 2-down but fall in shootout". ESPN. March 19, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
5. "Dubnyk leads Oilers past Sharks, 5–1". National Post. March 21, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
6. "Oilers give Dubnyk 2-year deal". CBC Sports. July 14, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
7. Joanne Ireland (April 7, 2011). "Dubnyk's play earned Oilers goalie extra starts this season". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
8. "Dubnyk earns first career shutout in win over Predators". TSN. February 7, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
9. "Oil Change". Sportsnet. April 5, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
10. "Oilers eliminated from playoff contention". National Hockey League. April 1, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
11. "Devan Dubnyk player profile". Edmonton Oilers. April 5, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
12. "Oilers deal Dubnyk to Predators; Acquire Scrivens from Kings". The Sports Network. January 15, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
13. "Devan Dubnyk: Placed on Waivers". Rotowire. March 3, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
14. "Canadiens acquire Devan Dubnyk". ESPN. March 5, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
15. "Coyotes Sign Dubnyk to One-Year Contract". National Hockey League. July 1, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
16. Woodley, Kevin (February 3, 2015). "Wild goalie Dubnyk feeling comfortable, confident". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
17. "Wild acquire Dubnyk from Coyotes for third-round pick". TSN. January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
18. "Dubnyk, Price, Rinne voted Vezina Trophy finalists". National Hockey League. April 24, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
19. Russo, Michael. "Dubnyk's wild year continues with winning the Masterton Trophy". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
20. "Wild sign Dubnyk to six-year contrac". National Hockey League. July 4, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
21. "Dubnyk Heading To NHL All-Star Game". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
22. "Sharks Acquire Goaltender Devan Dubnyk from Minnesota". National Hockey League. October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
23. "Kyrou's goal lifts Blues past Sharks". National Hockey League. January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
24. Joanne Ireland (May 15, 2010). "Dubnyk answers call for Team Canada". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved December 13, 2010.
25. Joanne Ireland (April 13, 2011). "Eberle, Dubnyk join Team Canada for world championships". The Gazette (Montreal). Retrieved April 13, 2011.
26. "Game Summary" (PDF). IIHF. May 1, 2011. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
27. "Canada pounds France at hockey worlds". CBC News. May 7, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
28. "Canada shutout Kazakhstan at Worlds". CBC News. May 12, 2012. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
29. "Oilers Dubnyk gets call to play for Canada". Edmonton Journal. December 1, 2012. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
30. "Canada books place in Spengler Cup semi-finals". TSN. December 20, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
31. "Canada defeats HC Davos in Cup final". CBC News. December 31, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2012.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database