Cody Goloubef

History

2005-06: Cody Goloubef played with the Milton Ice Hawks (OPJHL) where he was named the team’s rookie of the year after posting 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists) in 49 games. It was during this season that college hockey recruiters really began to take notice. Goloubef became one of the most highly sought-after players coming out of the OPJHL with a number of schools courting him. In addition, the Sarnia Sting (OHL), who drafted the young defenseman in 2005, were also in the mix.

2006-07: Goloubef came to Wisconsin from the Oakville Blades of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL), where he recorded 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) in 19 games in an injury-shortened 2006-07 season. Goloubef was also a member of Team Ontario in the U-17 World Hockey Challenge in 2006. He was one of only three non-OHL players to be named to the Team Ontario roster.

2007-08: Skated with the University of Wisconsin where he scored ten points (4 goals and 6 assists) in 40 games.  His first collegiate point (an assist) came in the season opening game versus Notre Dame in the Lefty McFadden Tournament on Oct. 12. His first collegiate goal, on the power play, came on Nov. 3 versus Michigan Tech. It was also the game winner.

2008-09: Goloubef played in 36 games with the Badgers. He scored 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in his sophomore season.

2009-10: As a junior, Goloubef appeared in 42 games with 3 goals, 11 assists for 14 points. Goloubef was part of a very talented blueline corps at Wisconsin that included top prospects Brendan Smith (DET), Ryan McDonagh (MON), Jake Gardiner (ANH), Justin Schultz (ANH), and John Ramage (CLG). The Badgers were able to get all the way to the National Championship game, where they fell to Boston College. Goloubef was signed to a 3-year entry level contract in April, 2010.

2010-11: Goloubef skated in 50 of 80 games for AHL Springfield in his first pro season. He scored 5 goals with 12 assists and was -12 with 42 PMs as the Falcons finished sixth in their division and did not reach the AHL playoffs.

2011-12: Goloubef made his NHL debut at the end of March, skating in one game with Columbus, after an injury-marred campaign that limited him to 48 games with the AHL Springfield Falcons. He had no points and was plus-one in six minutes of ice time with the Blue Jackets. Goloubef scored 1 goal with 11 assists and was minus-14 with 43 penalty minutes in 48 games for Springfield. The Falcons missed the playoffs, finishing third in the Northeast Division in the re-aligned AHL.

2012-13: Goloubef shuffled between Columbus and AHL affiliate Springfield in the second half of the season; appearing in 11 games with the Blue Jackets. He scored his first NHL goal (and only point to date) in a February 11th game against San Jose. Goloubef was -3, averaging 15 minutes of ice time, during his time with Columbus. After missing time early in the season due to a broken hand, he played 38 AHL games for Springfield and scored 5 goals with 8 assists and was +9 with 49 penalty minutes. The Falcons finished first in the Northeast Division and reached the second round in the playoffs Goloubef had 2 assists and was -2 with 10 penalty minutes in seven playoff games. He signed a one-year contract with the Blue Jackets as a restricted free agent in July, 2013.

Talent Analysis

Goloubef is an intelligent defenseman blessed with superb offensive skills and displays tremendous poise with the puck. He possesses a big shot and can get it to the net. He has excellent on-ice vision, follows plays very well and has little trouble finding and getting passes to his teammates. In addition, he can make really nice outlet passes. While his decisions with the puck are very good, he’ll need to be able to make them quicker to have success both at the collegiate level and beyond.

Goloubef is a wonderful skater, combining good speed with powerful yet fluid strides. His transitioning is good, although it is another area that should improve with development. His great skating ability coupled with his offensive instincts and vision allows him to frequently jump up into the play and create more scoring opportunities for his team.

Goloubef possesses good size and as his body matures the lack of strength issue should be addressed as well. While he is not a particularly physical player, Goloubef won’t shy away from playing the body when necessary. He thinks and understands the game remarkably well for such a young player. His ability to adjust and adapt to virtually any type of situation is also quite good. Though he has all of the exuberance that comes with youth, Goloubef also handles himself in a professional manner. He works and competes hard and his desire to learn is matched only by his unyielding pursuit of being the best that he can be.

Goloubef plays a relatively simple yet effective defensive game. His willingness to be a part of the offensive rush rarely comes at the expense of his defensive responsibilities. It is perhaps the area where Goloubef has made the greatest strides thus far in his young college career.

Future

Goloubef agreed to a one-year, two-way contract for next season and will have a chance to earn a spot at training camp. He has the potential to be a top-four defender if he can keep improving his all-around game.