Playing career

Škoula 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, Škoula 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. After only one game in the American Hockey League, with the Hershey Bears, Škoula joined the Avalanche.

In 2001, Škoula 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.

On February 21, 2004, Škoula was dealt by the Avalanche to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim for Kurt Sauer and a 4th round pick (Raymond Macias). After playing 20 games with the Ducks, Škoula left as an unrestricted free agent. He spent the 2004 NHL Lockout in the Czech Extraliga with HC Litvínov.

On August 3, 2005, prior to the 2005-06 season, Škoula was signed by the Dallas Stars to a two-year contract. He stayed less than a season before he was dealt at the trade deadline by the Stars, along with Shawn Belle, to the Minnesota Wild for Willie Mitchell and a 2nd round pick.

On September 29, 2009, Škoula signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 2009-10 season. Škoula played in 33 games with the Penguins as a reserve defenceman before he was included in a trade with prospect Luca Caputi to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Alexei Ponikarovsky on March 3, 2010. The same day, Škoula was then traded to the New Jersey Devils for a fifth-round pick in 2010.

On June 23, 2010, after 11 years in the NHL, Škoula returned to Europe signing a one-year contract with Russian team Avangard Omsk of the KHL. After one season in the KHL, Martin signed a new two-year contract with Avangard.

In the second year of his extension, after nine games in the 2012-13 season, Skoula was released by Omsk and was transferred to newcomer KHL Czech based, HC Lev Praha on September 27, 2012. After 21 games with Lev Praha for 7 points, Skoula was placed on the unprotected list and went unclaimed. He was then reassigned to join hometown club, HC Stadion Litoměřice, of the 1. národní hokejová liga on December 26, 2012.

On April 21, 2013, Skoula signed as a free agent to return to the KHL with HC Slovan Bratislava on a one-year contract. In the 2013-14 season, Skoula was one of only four Bratislava players to appear in every game with 54, helping contribute from the blueline with 13 points. He was unable to help elevate Slovan to the playoffs.

After signalling an intention to move closer to his native Litomerice at season's end, he returned to the Czech Extraliga signing a one-year contract with HC Bílí Tygři Liberec on May 27, 2014. Skoula featured in 10 games in Liberec, posting 2 goals and 7 points before ending his professional career.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1995-96	HC Litvínov	CZE		—	—	—	—	—		1	0	0	0	0
1996-97	HC Litvínov	CZE		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
1997-98	Barrie Colts	OHL		66	8	36	44	36		6	1	3	4	4
1998-99	Barrie Colts	OHL		67	13	46	59	46		12	3	10	13	13
1998-99	Hershey Bears	AHL		—	—	—	—	—		1	0	0	0	0
1999-00	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		80	3	13	16	20		17	0	2	2	4
2000-01	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		82	8	17	25	38		23	1	4	5	8
2001-02	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		82	10	21	31	42		21	0	6	6	2
2002-03	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		81	4	21	25	68		7	0	1	1	4
2003-04	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		58	2	14	16	30		—	—	—	—	—
2003-04	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL		21	2	7	9	2		—	—	—	—	—
2004-05	HC Litvínov	CZE		47	4	15	19	101		6	0	0	0	6
2005-06	Dallas Stars	NHL		61	4	11	15	36		—	—	—	—	—
2005-06	Minnesota Wild	NHL		17	1	5	6	10		—	—	—	—	—
2006-07	Minnesota Wild	NHL		81	0	15	15	36		5	0	0	0	4
2007-08	Minnesota Wild	NHL		80	3	8	11	26		6	0	0	0	0
2008-09	Minnesota Wild	NHL		81	4	12	16	10		—	—	—	—	—
2009-10	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		33	3	5	8	6		—	—	—	—	—
2009-10	New Jersey Devils	NHL		19	0	3	3	4		4	0	0	0	0
2010-11	Avangard Omsk	KHL		52	3	19	22	21		14	0	3	3	4
2011-12	Avangard Omsk	KHL		52	2	13	15	16		21	2	8	10	4
2012-13	Avangard Omsk	KHL		9	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
2012-13	Lev Praha	KHL		21	1	6	7	8		—	—	—	—	—
2012-13	HC Litoměřice	CZE.1		1	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2013-14	Slovan Bratislava	KHL		54	2	11	13	18		—	—	—	—	—
2014-15	HC Bílí Tygři Liberec	CZE		10	2	5	7	4		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				776	44	152	196	328		83	1	13	14	22
KHL totals				188	8	50	58	63		35	2	11	13	8

International

Medal record
Representing Czech Republic
Ice hockey
World Championships
	2006 Riga
	2011 Bratislava

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002	Czech Republic	OG	7th		4	0	0	0	0
2004	Czech Republic	WC	5th		7	1	0	1	4
2004	Czech Republic	WCH	3rd		2	0	0	0	2
2006	Czech Republic	WC	02 !		9	0	2	2	6
2011	Czech Republic	WC	03 !		9	0	2	2	0
Senior totals					31	1	4	5	12

Awards and honours

Award	Year
OHL
Second All-Star Team	1999
Plus/Minus Award	1999
CHL All-Rookie Team	1999
NHL
Stanley Cup	2001
KHL
All-Star Game	2011

Transactions

• June 27, 1998 - Škoula drafted by Colorado Avalanche
• February 21, 2004 - Škoula traded by Colorado to Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Kurt Sauer and a 4th round draft pick (Raymond Macias)
• August 3, 2005 - Škoula signs with Dallas Stars.
• March 9, 2006 - Škoula traded by the Dallas along with Shawn Belle to the Minnesota Wild for Willie Mitchell and the Wild's second-round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
• September 29, 2009 - Škoula signs a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• March 3, 2010 - Škoula was traded by the Pittsburgh to the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with teammate prospect Luca Caputi, for Alexei Ponikarovsky
• March 3, 2010 - Škoula was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the New Jersey Devils for a fifth round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]