Martin Škoula

Martin Škoula
Born	October 28, 1979 (1979-10-28) Litoměřice, Czechoslovakia
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight	226 lb (103 kg; 16 st 2 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
KHL team Former teams	Avangard Omsk Colorado Avalanche Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Dallas Stars Minnesota Wild Pittsburgh Penguins New Jersey Devils
National team	Czech Republic
NHL Draft	17th overall, 1998 Colorado Avalanche
Playing career	1999–present

Martin Škoula (born October 28, 1979) is a professional ice hockey defenceman, currently with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Playing career

Škoula was selected in the first round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, 17th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche. After playing two seasons in the Czech Republic, Škoula came over to North America in 1997, playing for the Barrie Colts of the OHL. His size and offensive ability made him an instant success. After only one game in the American Hockey League, with the Hershey Bears, Škoula joined the Avalanche.

In 2001, Škoula was a part of the Avalanche team that won the Stanley Cup. The following season, he played for his native country at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

On February 21, 2004, Škoula was dealt by the Avalanche to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for Kurt Sauer and a 4th round pick (Raymond Macias). After playing 20 games with the Ducks, Škoula left as an unrestricted free agent. He spent the 2004 NHL Lockout in the Czech Extraliga with HC Litvínov.

On August 3, 2005, prior to the 2005–06 season, Škoula was signed by the Dallas Stars to a two-year contract. He stayed less than a season before he was dealt at the trade deadline by the Stars, along with Shawn Belle, to the Minnesota Wild for Willie Mitchell and a 2nd round pick.

Martin Škoula (left) with the Penguins in October 2009.

On September 29, 2009, Škoula signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 2009-10 season. Škoula played in 33 games with the Penguins as a reserve defenceman before he was included in a trade with prospect Luca Caputi to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Alexei Ponikarovsky on March 3, 2010. The same day, Škoula was then traded to the New Jersey Devils for a fifth-round pick in 2010.

On June 23, 2010, after 11 years in the NHL, Škoula returned to Europe signing a one-year contract with Russian team Avangard Omsk of the KHL. After one season in the KHL, Martin signed a new two-year contract with Avangard.

Awards and achievements

• 1998–99 OHL Second All-Star Team
• 1998–99 OHL Plus/Minus Award
• 2000–01 NHL Stanley Cup (Colorado Avalanche)

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1995–96	HC Litvínov	CZE		—	—	—	—	—		1	0	0	0	0
1996–97	HC Litvínov	CZE		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	Barrie Colts	OHL		66	8	36	44	36		6	1	3	4	4
1998–99	Barrie Colts	OHL		67	13	46	59	46		12	3	10	13	13
1998–99	Hershey Bears	AHL		—	—	—	—	—		1	0	0	0	0
1999–00	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		80	3	13	16	20		17	0	2	2	4
2000–01	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		82	8	17	25	38		23	1	4	5	8
2001–02	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		82	10	21	31	42		21	0	6	6	2
2002–03	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		81	4	21	25	68		7	0	1	1	4
2003–04	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		58	2	14	16	30		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL		21	2	7	9	2		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	HC Litvínov	CZE		47	4	15	19	101		6	0	0	0	6
2005–06	Dallas Stars	NHL		61	4	11	15	36		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Minnesota Wild	NHL		17	1	5	6	10		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Minnesota Wild	NHL		81	0	15	15	36		5	0	0	0	4
2007–08	Minnesota Wild	NHL		80	3	8	11	26		6	0	0	0	0
2008–09	Minnesota Wild	NHL		81	4	12	16	10		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		33	3	5	8	6		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	New Jersey Devils	NHL		19	0	3	3	4		4	0	0	0	0
2010–11	Avangard Omsk	KHL		52	3	19	22	21		14	0	3	3	4
NHL totals				776	44	152	196	328		83	1	13	14	22

International

Medal record
Competitor for Czech Republic
Ice hockey
World Championships
Silver	2006 Riga	Ice hockey
Bronze	2011 Bratislava	Ice hockey

Year	Team	Comp	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002	Czech Republic	OG	4	0	0	0	0
2004	Czech Republic	WC	7	1	0	1	4
2004	Czech Republic	WCH	2	0	0	0	2
2006	Czech Republic	WC	9	0	2	2	6
Senior int'l totals			22	1	2	3	12

Transactions

• June 27, 1998 - Škoula drafted by Colorado Avalanche
• February 21, 2004 - Škoula traded by Colorado to Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Kurt Sauer and a 4th round draft pick (Raymond Macias)
• August 3, 2005 - Škoula signs with Dallas Stars.
• March 9, 2006 - Škoula traded by the Dallas along with Shawn Belle to the Minnesota Wild for Willie Mitchell and the Wild's second-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
• September 29, 2009 - Škoula signs a one year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• March 3, 2010 - Škoula was traded by the Pittsburgh to the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with teammate prospect Luca Caputi, for Alexei Ponikarovsky
• March 3, 2010 - Škoula was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the New Jersey Devils for a fifth round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

External links

• Martin Škoula's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Martin Skoula at TSN.ca

Preceded by Alex Tanguay

Colorado Avalanche first round draft pick 1998

Succeeded by Robyn Regehr