Jakub Málek

Jakub Málek (born 11 April 2002) is a Czech professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career Málek made his first professional start at 16 years old on 30 January 2019, for VHK Vsetín of the second-tier Czech Chance Liga against HC Stadion Litoměřice, but was pulled midway through the match after conceding four goals.

Returning to the Chance Liga more permanently in the 2020–21 season, Málek recorded 8 wins and a .912 save percentage in 14 games. In 7 playoff games, he recorded a .927 en route to a semifinal exit at the hands of HC Dukla Jihlava. In 21 total games at the Chance Liga level, he recorded two shutouts. Despite not being ranked at all by NHL Central Scouting, he would be selected 100th overall in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL entry draft by the New Jersey Devils.

On 20 October 2021, early in the 2021–22 season, Málek became the first goalie in Chance Liga history to score a goal by shooting the puck directly into the net (as opposed to being credited with a goal he didn't directly score) when he scored an empty-net goal late in a 4–1 victory over AZ Havířov. He would play 31 games that season and post 22 wins, two shutouts, and a .932 save percentage, earning the league award for best goaltender and making a run to the Chance Liga finals.

Moving to Finland for the 2022–23 season, Málek signed a two-year contract with Ilves of the top-level Liiga on 3 May 2022. Early in the year, Málek was hospitalized for panic attacks caused by what he described as putting too much pressure on himself. After recovering, as well as some time playing in the second-tier Mestis, he returned to Ilves and finished the season with a .903 save percentage in 22 total games. In the playoffs, starting goaltender Marek Langhamer was unable to play midway through the semifinal series against the Lahti Pelicans, thrusting Málek into the starting role.

On 6 March 2024, Ilves exercised an option in Málek's contract to sign him to a one-year extension. On 6 May, Málek signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Devils.

International play Málek was set to represent Czechia at the 2022 World Junior Championship, playing in one game before the tournament's cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Málek made his senior international debut representing Czechia in the 2023 Karjala Tournament, part of the 2023–24 Euro Hockey Tour.

Personal life Málek is a supporter of the Forest Green Rovers football club. He initially discovered the team while playing EA Sports FIFA and is a fan of their environmentally conscious operations.

Career statistics Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV% 2018–19 VHK Vsetín CZE.2 2 0 2 0 64 6 0 5.63 .750 — — — — — — — — 2019–20 VHK Vsetín CZE U20 2 31 20 8 0 1,692 64 2 2.27 .927 4 3 1 249 6 2 1.45 .942 2019–20 HC Valašské Meziříčí CZE.3 3 1 1 0 127 7 0 3.31 — — — — — — — — — 2020–21 VHK Vsetín CZE U20 2 2 2 0 0 120 4 0 2.00 .913 — — — — — — — — 2020–21 HC Valašské Meziříčí CZE.3 1 0 1 0 60 5 0 5.00 — — — — — — — — — 2020–21 VHK Vsetín CZE.2 14 8 5 0 787 30 1 2.29 .912 7 3 4 438 14 1 1.92 .927 2021–22 VHK Vsetín CZE U20 2 1 1 0 0 60 1 0 1.00 .976 — — — — — — — — 2021–22 VHK Vsetín CZE.2 31 22 9 0 1,847 60 3 1.95 .932 13 7 4 754 22 2 1.75 .933 2022–23 KOOVEE Mestis 6 2 2 2 364 17 1 2.80 .912 — — — — — — — — 2022–23 Ilves Liiga 22 9 7 4 1,256 45 2 2.15 .903 3 1 2 175 7 0 2.39 .870 2023–24 Ilves Liiga 27 16 4 5 1,528 59 2 2.32 .915 3 1 2 192 6 0 1.87 .910 2024–25 Ilves Liiga 33 15 11 6 1,926 67 0 2.09 .909 1 1 0 63 4 0 3.81 .862 2025–26 Utica Comets AHL 31 13 14 3 1,746 80 3 2.75 .895 — — — — — — — — 2025–26 Adirondack Thunder ECHL 2 1 0 1 126 4 0 1.91 .930 — — — — — — — — Liiga totals 82 40 22 15 4,711 171 4 2.18 .910 7 3 4 430 17 0 2.37 .887

Awards and honors Award Year RefChance liga Best Junior 2022 Best Goaltender 2022 All-Star Team 2022