Saturday, October 15, 2011

Musketeers Goaltender Commits to Penn State University

Press Release

The Sioux City Musketeers announced that goaltender Matt Skoff has committed to play collegiate hockey at Penn State University beginning next season when the school officially starts play as a NCAA Division I hockey program.

"Being from Pennsylvania was a big part of my decision," said Skoff, a native McKees Rocks, PA. "I was talking to a couple schools and I had it narrowed down between Penn State and another school. After the USHL Fall Classic, Penn State called me again and from that point it just seemed like a no-brainer to make the commitment."

Skoff is currently in his third USHL season and has been one of the League’s top goaltenders in each of his first two seasons. As a rookie for the Musketeers in 2009-10, he appeared in 50 games and won 21, while posting a 2.59 GAA and .903 SV%. Last season, Skoff posted 23 wins, a 2.55 GAA, .904 SV%, and led the USHL with six shutouts, which also equaled a Musketeers record. The goaltender was the backbone of the team's longest winning streak since November of 2007 when he ran off eight straight wins from March 19th, 2011 - April 5th, 2011 to help them earn a playoff berth.

The 20-year-old is off to a stellar beginning to the 2011-12 campaign as he owns a 1.70 GAA and .947 SV% through three starts.

When he sets foot on the Penn State University campus, he will be reunited with former Musketeers teammate Tommy Olczyk who is currently in his freshman season. Four other current USHL players are also committed to play hockey at the school – Connor Varley (Des Moines Buccaneers), Mark Yanis (Muskegon Lumberjacks), Kenny Brooks (Tri-City Storm), and Eamon McAdam (Waterloo Black Hawks).

"We're very excited for Matt and his commitment to Penn State," said Sioux City Head Coach and GM Brett Larson. "As a Pennsylvania kid, the school was tops on his list of places to go, but we're obviously thrilled to have him for one more season in Sioux City. He'll be the bedrock of our team this year as he's one of the best goaltenders in this league."

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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