Koubek signs as final marquee for Noarlunga Stars

When you have arguably the best pure goal scorer in the league, it might be helpful to have one the best set-up men in the state.

That’s one of many reasons the Noarlunga Stars signed playmaker Jan Koubek to their second marquee spot.

Last week the Stars secured the services of Jake Riley – a 21-year-old sniper who lead the Premier League in goals (25) and points (46).

Czech centre Jan Koubek has entered the chat. Defensively sound. Offensively gifted. And one of the most knowledgeable players in the state.

“Who pairs with the best scorer in the league? The best playmaker in the league,” says Stars’ General Manager Matt Lothian. “We think Jan is that player. His vision on the ice and ability to find space to create plays is what excites us.”

Koubek has posted two straight fantastic Premier League seasons since moving to South Australia from Sydney. This season, he helped Tigers’ forward Ryan Foll score 24 goals as his linemate. Koubek had 5 goals and 25 assists in 20 games – good for sixth in the league in scoring.

In 2020, he set up Josef Rezek on the Falcons. Koubek was third in the league with 12 goals and 21 assists while Josef Rezek led the league in goals (22) and points (35).

“Matt and Sami contacted me and said they had a high interest in pairing me with Jake,” says Koubek. “There’s a lot of work ahead of us to make it work but I’m looking forward to it.”

“It’s a good idea in theory that Jake and I will work well together but you never know unless you try it on the ice.”

Koubek has a strong hockey history.

The 30-year-old grew up playing in the hockey-mad country of Czech Republic. He played three seasons of junior hockey with Slavia Prague, and two seasons with Czech3 side HC Kobra Prague.

He’s played 29 games with the Sydney Bears and multiple seasons in New South Wales’ East Coast League.  

He says that experience all over the world helps him out on the ice.

“My vision, passing and awareness are my biggest strengths,” he says. “I hope I can use that well.

Head coach Sami Mantere says the signing of Koubek was bigger than just the combination potential with Riley.

“Jan is composed. He can slow things down. He finds a pass that sets up a play before it happens. He can be lethal at even strength and on the power play,” he says.

“Jan has played high level hockey all around the world so he will bring experience and leadership to the team.”

Both Lothian and Mantere say they want to make the Stars one of the most exciting teams in the league.

“We promised our fans that we will play very active hockey and attacking as quickly as possible,” Mantere says.   

Lothian says the excitement is building.

“Now that we have Jake and Jan we have the best top line in the NHSL. We have a bonafide 1C who can win big draws, and two players that can dictate how the game is being played,” he says.

All teams have now signed their marquee players and will start preparing for an October 11 draft.

STARS
- Forward Jake Riley
- Centre Jan Koubek

XTREME
- Centre Joey MacDougall
- Goalie Jeremy Friederich

BREWERS
- Centre Steve Best
- Defenseman Zach Boyle