USHL Prospect Report- Matt Skoff (Edited)

Matt Skoff (Sioux City) tied for the most games played as a goaltender last year with fifty. With that kind of USHL experience under his belt, Skoff is certainly in the running for best USHL goaltender for this upcoming USHL season. Last preseason, Skoff had a Fall Classic for the ages, solidifying his spot with the Musketeers. In the two appearances he made during the Fall Classic trying to earn a spot as Willie Yanakeff's backup, Skoff won both of his games, and managed to pull off a 0.50 GAA, allowing only one goal on the weekend. After being cut from the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders just weeks before the Battle of Iowa, it was easy to tell that Skoff was motivated to make the Sioux City roster, but no one thought he would overtake Yanakeff as the starter. Only time will tell if Skoff suffers a "sophomore slump".

Skoff is one of the best goalies in the league when he's in the butterfly. He can move cross-crease so fast that he can shut down type of shot in the slot. He's very solid technically, which helps him cut down angles tremendously. Last season, playing fifty games for the Musketeers, Skoff tied for sixth in GAA, posting a 21-19-9 record with a 2.59 GAA and .903 save percentage. Skoff prides himself on his ability to never give up on a puck, and that effort, matched with his quickness and technical skills, put him on some NHL scouts' lists as a possible late round pick. However, Skoff wasn't taken in the NHL Draft, and he still remains without a college scholarship offer, so I would say he may be in the same boat as Jordan Tibbett, and this may be a make or break year for Skoff, but I have no doubts that he will be playing division one hockey next season.

Skoff will need to play well again this season, but I do believe that he will be playing college hockey somewhere next fall.

Author edit: Skoff has recieved scholarship offers, but is waiting to make his decision.

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