Martin Skoula is a retired Czech professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman. He was born on October 28, 1979, in Litvinov, Czechoslovakia. Skoula began his professional career in 1996 when he joined the HC Litvinov team in the Czech Extraliga. He played for the team for three seasons before moving to the United States to play in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Skoula was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 1998-1999 season and played for the Avalanche for four seasons. During his time with the Avalanche, Skoula was part of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2001. He was known for his solid defensive play and his ability to move the puck up the ice.
In 2003, Skoula was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, where he played for one season before being traded again to the Dallas Stars. He played for the Stars for two seasons before being traded to the Minnesota Wild in 2006. Skoula played for the Wild for two seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008.
Skoula played for the Penguins for one season before signing with the New Jersey Devils as a free agent in 2009. He played for the Devils for one season before returning to the Czech Republic to play for HC Plzen in the Czech Extraliga. Skoula retired from professional hockey in 2013.
Throughout his career, Skoula was known for his solid defensive play and his ability to move the puck up the ice. He was a reliable defenseman who could be counted on to play in all situations. Skoula was also known for his leadership qualities and was often a captain or alternate captain on the teams he played for.
In addition to his NHL career, Skoula also represented the Czech Republic in international competition. He played for the Czech Republic in the 1999 World Junior Championships, the 2002 Winter Olympics, and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
Overall, Martin Skoula had a successful career as a professional ice hockey player. He played for several NHL teams and was part of a Stanley Cup-winning team. Skoula was known for his solid defensive play, his ability to move the puck up the ice, and his leadership qualities. He also represented the Czech Republic in international competition and was a valuable member of the team.
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