Pierre-Luc Dubois

Pierre-Luc Dubois
Dubois with the Los Angeles Kings in 2023
Born	(1998-06-24) June 24, 1998 (age 26) Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, Canada
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
National team	Canada
NHL draft	3rd overall, 2016 Columbus Blue Jackets
Playing career	2017–present

Pierre-Luc Dubois (born June 24, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Dubois was born in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec, but grew up in Rimouski. He was drafted third overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and has also played for the Winnipeg Jets and Los Angeles Kings.

Playing career

Youth

Dubois played in the 2010 and 2011 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with the Rimouski Océanic minor ice hockey team. ^[1]

Junior

Dubois was drafted by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)'s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the first round, fifth overall, of the 2014 QMJHL Entry Draft, and began with the Screaming Eagles in the 2014–15 season. In his rookie season, Dubois was the league's top-scoring 16-year-old. ^[2]

Leading up to 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Dubois was the top-ranked North American skater. He was described as a multi-dimensional player possessing the ability to influence a game in a number of ways, and a bona fide future star for an NHL club. ^[3]

On December 11, 2016, Dubois was traded to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. ^[4]

Professional

Columbus Blue Jackets

On June 24, 2016, his 18th birthday, Dubois was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets third overall at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. On June 29, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Columbus. ^[5] He was invited to the Blue Jackets' development camp but was sent back to the Eagles for the 2016–17 season, after which he was traded to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. ^[6]

Dubois began the 2017–18 season in the NHL, playing centre to wingers Artemi Panarin and Josh Anderson. ^[7] He scored his first career NHL goal on October 6, 2017, against the New York Islanders in a 5–0 win. ^[8] He scored his first career NHL hat-trick on March 29, 2018, against the Calgary Flames. ^[9] With his hat-trick, Dubois broke the Blue Jackets rookie scoring record that was previously held by Rick Nash. ^[10]

On August 6, 2020, Dubois recorded the first playoff hat-trick in Blue Jackets franchise history in a 4–3 overtime victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. ^[11]

On December 31, 2020, Dubois signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Blue Jackets. ^[12] However, two weeks after signing the contract, he requested a trade from the team. ^[13] While Blue Jackets' general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen initially stated he was in no rush to trade Dubois, the situation between Dubois and Columbus became increasingly untenable. This culminated in Dubois being benched after the first period during a 3–2 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 21, 2021, following Dubois' lackadaisical play early in the game. ^[14]

Winnipeg Jets

Dubois warming up with the Winnipeg Jets in December 2021.

On January 23, 2021, Dubois was traded with a 2022 third-round pick to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic. The 2020–21 season was played in a specialized format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Jets part of the all-Canadian North Division, and Dubois had to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival, limiting his training and preparation time. He sustained an injury in only his second game with the team, missing four games as a result. ^[15] On February 21, in just his third game with the Jets, Dubois scored his first two goals as a Winnipeg Jet in a 4–3 overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks. Dubois' second goal of the game was the overtime winner. Dubois also scored an assist in the same game, coincidentally doing the same thing that Laine did in his last game as a Winnipeg Jet (scoring 2 goals and 1 assist, with one of the two goals coming in overtime). ^[16] The season ultimately proved disappointing for both Dubois and the Jets. The team qualified for the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, but after sweeping the Edmonton Oilers in the first round they were swept in turn by the Montreal Canadiens in the second. Another injury prematurely concluded Dubois' regular season, and delayed his playoff debut against the Oilers. He managed only eight goals and twelve assists in 41 games in the regular season, ending a 24-game goalless streak. He fared little better in the postseason, with only three assists in seven games. ^{[15] [17]} Dubois said afterward "I know I can be a lot better. This year was my fourth year in the NHL. I'm really happy with my first three." ^[17]

The 2021–22 season was a further disappointment for the Jets, ultimately missing the playoffs. Dubois, however, saw major improvement compared to his first season, scoring 28 goals and registering 32 assists, a new high in goals and nearly equaling his best seasonal points total. ^[18] The Winnipeg Sun remarked that he "embodies everything the Jets want in their lineup and their leadership core," and looked like a possible successor to top centre Mark Scheifele, making the end of his current contract a major issue for the team. ^[19] However, it was reported near the end of June that Dubois had informed the Jets that he did not intend to sign a new long-term deal, and would test free agency in 2024. ^{[20] [19]} Reports began to circulate that Dubois instead had an interest in playing for the Montreal Canadiens, the NHL's storied Quebec franchise, with his agent Pat Brisson confirming to TVA Sports that Montreal was "a place, a city he’d like to play in. That’s all I can say about that." On July 15, The Athletic reported that Dubois was attempting to force a trade to the Canadiens, and had attended the 2022 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal in person because he believed a trade would be consummated on the draft floor. However, it was said that Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff had demanded in exchange a player that Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes was unwilling to trade, and instead the Canadiens acquired Kirby Dach from the Chicago Blackhawks at the draft. ^[21] This report encouraged further speculation as to Dubois' future with the team, amplified further by his decision on July 22 to accept a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer from the team. ^[22]

Los Angeles Kings

Dubois fighting Tye Kartye of the Seattle Kraken in December 2023.

On June 27, 2023, Dubois was traded by the Jets to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and Gabriel Vilardi and a 2024 second-round draft pick. Upon being traded, Dubois signed an eight-year, $68 million contract. ^[23]

Washington Capitals

After only one season of his eight-year contract with Los Angeles, Dubois was traded to the Washington Capitals on June 19, 2024, in exchange for Darcy Kuemper. ^[24]

International play

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing   Canada
World Championships
	2019 Slovakia
	2022 Finland
World Junior Championships
	2017 Canada
World U18 Championships
	2015 Switzerland
Ivan Hlinka Memorial
	2015 Slovakia/Czech Republic

On December 1, 2015, Dubois was announced as 1 of 30 players invited to the Canadian selection camp for the 2016 World Junior Hockey Championships; he was one of only two 17-year-olds invited. ^[25]

On April 27, 2018, Dubois was named to the senior Team Canada for the 2018 IIHF World Championship. ^[26] He managed three goals and four assists in nine games, but Team Canada ultimately finished in fourth place, losing the bronze medal game to Team USA. ^[27]

On May 10, 2019, Dubois was a late inclusion to Canada's roster at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, joining the squad following the Blue Jackets' second-round defeat in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. ^[28] Dubois helped Canada progress through to the playoff rounds before losing the final to Team Finland on May 26, earning the silver medal. ^[29] He finished the tournament with three goals and seven points through eight games. Three years later, with the Jets failing to make the playoffs, Dubois joined Team Canada again for the 2022 IIHF World Championship, and immediately distinguished himself as one of the team's best players. ^[30] Team Canada again reached the championship final, but ended with a 4–3 loss to Team Finland. Dubois earned his second World silver, and had seven goals and six assists in the tournament. ^[31]

Following the Los Angeles Kings' ouster in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Dubois again joined Team Canada for the 2024 IIHF World Championship. ^[32]

Personal life

Dubois is a dual citizen of Canada and the United States; his mother Jill is originally from Atlanta, Georgia. His father, Éric Dubois, is a former professional ice hockey player and is currently defensive coach of the Winnipeg Jets' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, which are also based in Winnipeg. Dubois began playing hockey when he was three years old in Germany, where his father played in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). ^[33] He has an older sister, Daphne. ^[34]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2013–14	Collège Notre-Dame Albatros	QMAAA		40	17	21	38	92		3	0	0	0	6
2014–15	Cape Breton Screaming Eagles	QMJHL		54	10	35	45	58		7	2	3	5	6
2015–16	Cape Breton Screaming Eagles	QMJHL		62	42	57	99	112		12	7	5	12	14
2016–17	Cape Breton Screaming Eagles	QMJHL		20	6	12	18	33		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Blainville-Boisbriand Armada	QMJHL		28	15	22	37	45		19	9	13	22	26
2017–18	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		82	20	28	48	49		6	2	2	4	6
2018–19	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		82	27	34	61	64		10	2	3	5	14
2019–20	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		70	18	31	49	49		10	4	6	10	4
2020–21	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		5	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Winnipeg Jets	NHL		41	8	12	20	36		7	0	3	3	8
2021–22	Winnipeg Jets	NHL		81	28	32	60	106		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Winnipeg Jets	NHL		73	27	36	63	77		5	2	2	4	8
2023–24	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		82	16	24	40	70		5	1	0	1	20
NHL totals				516	145	197	342	453		43	11	16	27	60

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2014	Canada Black	U17	7th		5	2	1	3	2
2015	Canada	U18			6	0	1	1	4
2015	Canada	IH18			4	0	3	3	0
2017	Canada	WJC			7	0	5	5	6
2018	Canada	WC	4th		9	3	4	7	2
2019	Canada	WC			8	3	4	7	6
2022	Canada	WC			10	7	6	13	12
2024	Canada	WC	4th		10	4	5	9	6
Junior totals					22	2	10	12	12
Senior totals					37	17	19	36	26

Awards and honours

Award	Year
CHL / QMJHL
CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game	2016
Second All-Star Team	2016
Paul Dumont Trophy	2016
Mike Bossy Trophy	2016
International
World Championship All-Star Team	2022

References

1. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
2. "Pierre-Luc Dubois – Hockey – Cape Breton Post". capebretonpost.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
3. "Dubois jumps to top of draft rankings". NHL.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
4. "L'Armada de Blainville-Boisbriand fait l'acquisition de Pierre-Luc Dubois". RDS.ca. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
5. "Blue Jackets sign Dubois to his ELC". NBC Sports. June 29, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
6. Colello, T.J (October 25, 2016). "Back in the Cape". Sydney: Cape Breton Post. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
7. Hedger, Brian (July 16, 2018). "BATTALION BREAKDOWN: Pierre-Luc Dubois". NHL.com. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
8. "DUBOIS CHASES GREISS WITH HIS FIRST NHL GOAL". Sportsnet. October 6, 2017.
9. "Pierre-Luc Dubois has first NHL hat trick as Blue Jackets down Flames" . Retrieved March 30, 2018.
10. "Pierre-Luc Dubois has first NHL hat trick as Blue Jackets down Flames". sportsnet.ca. March 30, 2018. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
11. "NHL.com Media Site". media.nhl.com. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
12. "CBJ sign C Pierre-Luc Dubois to Two-Year Extension". NHL.com. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
13. "Dubois, Jackets situation could wrap up soon with trade". tsn.ca. January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
14. Wyshynski, Greg (January 21, 2021). "Columbus Blue Jackets center Pierre-Luc Dubois benched after poor shift". ESPN . Retrieved July 18, 2022.
15. Schroeder, Declan (July 1, 2021). "Winnipeg Jets 2020-21 Report Cards: Pierre-Luc Dubois". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
16. Karstens-Smith, Gemma (February 22, 2021). "Dubois scores in overtime to lift Jets past Canucks". CBC Sports . Retrieved July 22, 2022.
17. Ates, Murat (June 14, 2021). "Winnipeg Jets final report card: Grading the forwards, from Nik Ehlers to Mark Scheifele to Pierre-Luc Dubois". The Athletic . Retrieved July 22, 2022.
18. Schroeder, Declan (May 12, 2021). "Winnipeg Jets' 2021-22 Report Cards: Pierre-Luc Dubois". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
19. Billeck, Scott (June 23, 2022). "Plenty on Winnipeg Jets GM Cheveldayoff's plate as off-season looms". Winnipeg Sun . Retrieved July 22, 2022.
20. Wiebe, Ken (June 29, 2022). "Jets gaining clarity on Dubois' future will determine off-season approach". Sportsnet . Retrieved July 22, 2022.
21. Ates, Murat; Basu, Arpon (July 15, 2022). "What we're hearing on the Canadiens, Jets and Pierre-Luc Dubois". The Athletic . Retrieved July 22, 2022.
22. McKendrick, Devon (July 22, 2022). "Pierre-Luc Dubois signs one-year contract with Jets". CTV News . Retrieved July 22, 2022.
23. "Pierre-Luc Dubois traded from Jets to Kings, signs eight-year, $68M extension". Sportsnet.ca. June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
24. "Dubois traded to Capitals by Kings for Kuemper". NHL.com. June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
25. Neysmith, Graham (December 1, 2015). "Five QMJHL Players Invited to World Junior Selection Camp". The Q News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
26. "Canada adds Leafs' G McElhinney for WHC". tsn.ca. April 27, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
27. "U.S. Tops Canada to Take Bronze at IIHF World Championships". Sports Illustrated . May 20, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
28. "Jost and Dubois join Team Canada". The Sports Network. May 10, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
29. "Finland defeats Canada for Gold Medal at World Championship". The Sports Network. May 26, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
30. Ellis, Steven (May 20, 2022). "Pierre-Luc Dubois is ripping it up at the World Hockey Championships". The Hockey News . Retrieved July 22, 2022.
31. Podnieks, Andrew (May 29, 2022). "Finland does it!". International Ice Hockey Federation . Retrieved May 29, 2022.
32. DeRosa, Michael (May 7, 2024). "Looking at Team Canada's Decision to Swap Celebrini and Fantilli for Dubois, Hagel and Paul". The Hockey News . Retrieved May 7, 2024.
33. Fontaine, Dave (February 17, 2016). "Pierre-Luc Dubois sous les projecteurs" [Pierre-Luc Dubois in the spotlight]. Journal de Montreal (in French). Agence QMI. Retrieved March 1, 2016.
34. "Carpool with the Captain-Dubois". YouTube .

External links

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

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Gabriel Carlsson	Columbus Blue Jackets first round draft pick 2016	Succeeded by Liam Foudy