Martin Skoula

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Position	Defenseman
Shoots	Left
Height Weight	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 194 lb (88 kg)
NHL Team F. Teams	Minnesota Wild Dallas Stars Anaheim Ducks Colorado Avalanche
Nationality	Czech Republic
Born	October 28, 1979, Litomerice, CZE
NHL Draft	17th overall, 1998 Colorado Avalanche
Pro Career	1999 – present

Martin Skoula (born October 28, 1979 in Litomerice, Czech Republic) is a professional ice hockey defenseman. He 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, Skoula 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, and scouts praised his puck poise. After only one game in the American Hockey League, with the Hershey Bears, Skoula joined the Avalanche, despite being only twenty years old.

In 2001, Skoula 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. Despite these successes and a solid statistical record, Skoula was often criticized by fans for poor defensive positioning and decisions, and offensive ability that failed to live up to expectations. In February of 2004, Skoula was dealt to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. After playing only twenty games with the Ducks, Skoula left as an unrestricted free agent. He spent the lockout in the Czech Republic.

The engraved names of the 2000-01 Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche

In August of 2005, Skoula was signed by the Dallas Stars, where he spent less than a season, being at the trade deadline, March 9, 2006, to the Minnesota Wild.

[edit] Transactions

June 27, 1998 - Skoula drafted by Colorado
February 21, 2004 - Skoula traded by Colorado to Anaheim in exchange for Kurt Sauer and a 4th round draft pick (Raymond Macias)
August 3, 2005 - Skoula signs with Dallas.
March 9, 2006 - Skoula traded by the Dallas Stars along with Shawn Belle to the Minnesota Wild for Willie Mitchell and the Wild's second-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.