Skoula set for solid sophomore season

Originally published on EuroReport.com in 2000

By Lucas Aykroyd

One of the luxuries of being a young defenseman on a top NHL club is that you don’t have to be the “go-to guy.” Martin Skoula of the Colorado Avalanche is getting the opportunity to learn from some of the best, including Ray Bourque and Adam Foote. The 6-3, 214-pound native of Litomerice, Czech Republic has played more than 30 minutes a game when called upon, though he averages closer to 20. Mobile and confident, he delivers a low, hard shot from the point. He finished plus or even in 61 of his 80 games last year. While he earned a modest 16 points as a rookie, the way he sees the ice will likely help him to put up bigger numbers as he did with the OHL’s Barrie Colts (13-46-59 in 67 games in 1998-99). EuroReport caught up with the congenial 21-year-old after his Avalanche dropped a hard-fought 4-3 decision to the Vancouver Canucks at GM Place on 1 November.

EuroReport: What’s been the key to your team’s hot start this season?

Martin Skoula: I think everybody is focused and ready for every game.

EuroReport: With just one assist in 13 games so far, are you concerned about your offensive production?

Skoula: Well, I just try to play the same way every game. I don’t know!

EuroReport: What were the biggest things you learned in your rookie season?

Skoula: Pretty much all-around offensively and defensively, I managed to get better.

EuroReport: Describe the intensity of Game Seven versus Dallas in the playoffs. That must have been pretty wild!

Skoula: Yeah, of course. During the playoffs, especially in the seventh game, you don’t want to take anything for granted. There are no let-downs. Everybody’s going 100 percent.

EuroReport: What’s been the effect of losing Sandis Ozolinsh this year?

Skoula: On the power play, he had great offensive skills. We basically lost a lot of offensive talent on the blueline.

EuroReport: Why did you cite Brian Leetch as your NHL hero instead of Ray Bourque?

Skoula: [laughs] Because I always liked Brian Leetch and the way he plays offensively. I just liked him since I was little.

EuroReport: Did you watch the Rangers on TV back home?

Skoula: Not that much. We didn’t have that much NHL, but I remember I watched the playoffs when they won the Cup against Vancouver. It was just amazing watching them.

EuroReport: Playing with Bourque now, what have you learned from him?

Skoula: I just try to watch everything he does on the ice in certain situations, really, in every aspect of the game.

EuroReport: How did the great hockey tradition in Litvinov influence you when you were growing up?

Skoula: Well, I didn’t actually grow up in Litvinov, but I played there for three years. Being in Litvinov, it was great. It’s been one of the best places in the Czech League for about fifty years. Watching all the games was awesome, all those great players.

EuroReport: What do you enjoy most about living in Denver?

Skoula: The weather is great, even in the winter. I think there are nice people there and you can go to the mountains. It’s a pretty nice city.

EuroReport: What were your thoughts on the Czechs winning the World Championships back in May?

Skoula: I didn’t even watch any games, just saw the results in the news. I’m sure it was great, winning the championship again. I would just like to be sometimes at home to celebrate it, because it’s a good atmosphere with the players coming home from the tournament. It’s great for the country too that we get noticed that much as a small country, winning all these medals.

EuroReport: Have you thought about the possibility of representing your country at the Olympics in 2002?

Skoula: It all depends on the coaches and the management, and how I play. Certainly I would like to go.