Jeff Zatkoff

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Jeff Zatkoff
Zatkoff with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2014
Jeff Zatkoff
Born9 6, 1987
BirthplaceDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationProfessional ice hockey goaltender (retired)
Known forPlaying for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, and Straubing Tigers; member of the 2016 Stanley Cup–winning Penguins

Jeff Zatkoff (born June 9, 1987) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender whose career spanned more than a decade across multiple leagues and continents. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Zatkoff was drafted 74th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Kings. His professional journey took him through the ECHL, the American Hockey League (AHL), and ultimately to Europe, where he concluded his playing days with the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Among the defining moments of Zatkoff's career was his inclusion on the 2015–16 Pittsburgh Penguins roster that captured the Stanley Cup, earning him a championship ring despite his role as a depth goaltender during the playoff run.[1] Over the course of his career, Zatkoff demonstrated persistence and adaptability, rising from the lower professional ranks to establish himself as a reliable backup at the NHL level before finishing his career in Germany in 2020.[2]

Early Life

Jeff Zatkoff was born on June 9, 1987, in Detroit, Michigan, a city with deep roots in ice hockey culture as the home of the Detroit Red Wings. Growing up in the metropolitan Detroit area, Zatkoff developed his skills as a goaltender through youth hockey programs in the region. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 179 pounds, he caught with his left hand, a standard orientation for goaltenders.[3]

Zatkoff's talent was recognized early enough to make him a prospect of interest to NHL scouts during his teenage years. His development in Michigan's competitive hockey landscape positioned him to pursue the sport at the collegiate level, where he would further refine his game before entering the professional ranks.

Education

Zatkoff attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he played college hockey for the Miami RedHawks in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).[4] The RedHawks program, a member of the CCHA at the time, provided Zatkoff with a strong competitive environment to develop his game against other future professional players. During his time at Miami University, Zatkoff earned recognition for his performance in the crease. He was named to the CCHA All-Conference team, an honor reflecting his standing as one of the top goaltenders in the league during his college career.[5] His college tenure provided both competitive experience and academic grounding before he transitioned to professional hockey.

Career

Draft and Early Professional Career

Zatkoff was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the third round, 74th overall, of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.[6] After completing his college career at Miami University, he began his professional career in 2008, initially playing in the minor leagues as he worked to develop the consistency and skills required to compete at the NHL level.

Zatkoff spent time in the ECHL during the early stages of his professional career, gaining experience in a league that has served as a development ground for hundreds of future NHL players. His progress through the minor league system was part of a broader pipeline that connected the ECHL to the AHL and eventually to the NHL. The ECHL itself tracked Zatkoff as one of the players who eventually made the jump to the NHL, counting him among the 520 players to debut in the top league after playing in the ECHL.[7]

Pittsburgh Penguins

Zatkoff's career took a significant turn when he joined the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. He spent considerable time with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the club's AHL affiliate, where he established himself as one of the top goaltenders in the league. During his time in the AHL, Zatkoff was a co-recipient of the Hap Holmes Memorial Award, given to the goaltender(s) on the AHL team that allows the fewest goals per game during the regular season. This recognition placed him among the elite netminders in the developmental league and underscored his readiness for NHL competition.[8]

Zatkoff earned his opportunity at the NHL level with the Pittsburgh Penguins, serving primarily as a backup goaltender behind the team's established starters. The Penguins officially announced his involvement with the big club as he began to make appearances in NHL regular-season games.[9][10] His presence on the roster provided the Penguins with depth in goal, a necessity in a league where injuries and the demands of a long season require teams to have capable backup options.

During the 2013–14 season, Zatkoff saw action in multiple games for the Penguins and was covered extensively by local Pittsburgh media. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review followed his season closely, documenting his contributions as the team's backup goaltender.[11][12] His NHL tenure with Pittsburgh allowed him to develop experience at the highest level of professional hockey, facing some of the best offensive players in the world while working behind a Penguins team that regularly contended for playoff berths.

2016 Stanley Cup Championship

The pinnacle of Zatkoff's time with the Pittsburgh Penguins came during the 2015–16 season, when the team embarked on a championship run that culminated in winning the Stanley Cup. Zatkoff was part of the Penguins' goaltending depth during the regular season and made a notable contribution in the 2016 playoffs when starting goaltender Matt Murray was unavailable.

The Penguins clinched the Stanley Cup with a victory over the San Jose Sharks in the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals.[13] Although Zatkoff was not the primary netminder during the deep playoff run, his contributions during the regular season and his status as a member of the championship roster entitled him to have his name associated with the Stanley Cup victory. The Penguins organization subsequently presented Zatkoff with his Stanley Cup championship ring, a moment that marked the crowning achievement of his career.[1]

The experience of being part of a Stanley Cup–winning team was one that would continue to define Zatkoff's career narrative as he moved forward, and it served as a testament to the value of depth players and backup goaltenders in a championship-caliber organization.

Los Angeles Kings

Following his time with the Penguins, Zatkoff returned to the organization that had originally drafted him, signing with the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings officially announced the addition of Zatkoff to their roster, bringing him back to the franchise that had selected him in 2006.[14] With the Kings, Zatkoff was again called upon to provide goaltending depth, competing for playing time in a roster that included other goaltenders vying for backup duties.

Zatkoff's stint with the Kings did not last extensively at the NHL level. The organization eventually traded him to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a move that saw the Kings deal Zatkoff as part of roster management.[15] This transaction illustrated the transactional nature of professional sports, where goaltenders in particular are frequently moved between organizations based on roster needs and contractual considerations.

Career in Germany: Straubing Tigers

After his NHL career concluded, Zatkoff continued playing professional hockey overseas. He signed with the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), Germany's top professional ice hockey league. The Straubing Tigers announced his signing with notable enthusiasm, highlighting his credentials as a Stanley Cup champion.[2] The move to Germany allowed Zatkoff to extend his playing career in a competitive European league while experiencing a different hockey culture.

Zatkoff played for the Straubing Tigers until 2020, which marked the conclusion of his professional playing career.[6][16] His time in Germany represented the final chapter of a career that had begun in 2008, spanning approximately 12 years across multiple levels of professional hockey in both North America and Europe.

Career Statistics and Overview

Over the course of his professional career, Zatkoff compiled statistics across several leagues, including the ECHL, AHL, NHL, and DEL. His career trajectory was documented by several statistical databases, reflecting his journey from a third-round draft pick to an established professional goaltender.[17][6] Additionally, Zatkoff appeared in professional listings and records, including publications that tracked professional hockey players across various leagues.[18]

His NHL career saw him play for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings, the two organizations most closely associated with his development and his time at the highest level. In the AHL, his Hap Holmes Memorial Award recognition demonstrated his capacity to be among the league's best, while his time in the ECHL and DEL showed his willingness to play at various levels to continue his career.

Personal Life

Jeff Zatkoff is a native of Detroit, Michigan.[3] His personal life has remained largely private, with public information centered on his professional hockey career. His upbringing in the Detroit area, a region synonymous with hockey in the United States, provided the backdrop for his development as a goaltender.

After retiring from professional hockey following his time with the Straubing Tigers in 2020, Zatkoff transitioned out of active play. The details of his post-playing career activities have not been widely documented in publicly available sources.

Recognition

Throughout his career, Zatkoff received several forms of recognition for his accomplishments as a goaltender:

  • Hap Holmes Memorial Award – Co-recipient of the AHL's award for the goaltender(s) on the team with the lowest goals-against average during the regular season, earned during his tenure with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.[8]
  • CCHA All-Conference Team – Named to the Central Collegiate Hockey Association's All-Conference team during his college career at Miami University.[5]
  • Stanley Cup Championship Ring – Received a championship ring from the Pittsburgh Penguins organization following the team's 2016 Stanley Cup victory.[1]
  • ECHL-to-NHL Achievement – Recognized by the ECHL as one of the players from the league who went on to reach the NHL.[7]

These accolades reflected Zatkoff's contributions at various levels of the sport, from collegiate hockey through the minor leagues and into the NHL. His Hap Holmes Award, in particular, highlighted his effectiveness in the AHL, while the Stanley Cup ring underscored the ultimate team achievement in professional hockey.

Legacy

Jeff Zatkoff's career serves as an illustration of the path many professional goaltenders navigate in pursuit of an NHL career. Drafted in the third round rather than as a high first-round selection, he worked his way through the minor league system, spending significant time in both the ECHL and AHL before earning regular NHL appearances. His story reflects the broader reality that many NHL players, particularly goaltenders, require years of development in lower leagues before reaching the top level.

His association with the 2016 Stanley Cup–winning Pittsburgh Penguins remains perhaps the most notable element of his career. While he was not the starting goaltender during the team's playoff run, his inclusion on the roster and subsequent receipt of a championship ring highlighted the importance of depth players in building a championship team.[1] The Penguins' decision to formally present him with the ring acknowledged his contributions during the regular season and his role within the organization.

Zatkoff's willingness to continue his career in Europe with the Straubing Tigers after his NHL opportunities diminished also spoke to the increasingly global nature of professional hockey. The DEL and other European leagues have become common destinations for North American players seeking to extend their careers, and Zatkoff's move to Germany followed this established pattern.[2]

From his beginnings in Detroit to his college career at Miami University, through the minor leagues and up to the NHL, and finally to Germany, Zatkoff's career encompassed many of the experiences common to professional hockey players. His journey through the sport, while not marked by the individual accolades of a franchise goaltender, demonstrated the persistence and adaptability required to sustain a professional career across multiple leagues and countries over more than a decade.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Pens present Zatkoff with his Stanley Cup ring".NHL.com – Pittsburgh Penguins.https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/pens-present-zatkoff-with-his-stanley-cup-ring/c-283391034.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Jeff Zatkoff – Ein Stanley Cup Sieger für die Straubing Tigers".Straubing Tigers.https://www.straubing-tigers.de/service/aktuelles/aktuelles-im-detail/article/jeff-zatkoff-ein-stanley-cup-sieger-fuer-die-straubing-tigers/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Jeff Zatkoff – Player Profile".NHL.com.https://www.nhl.com/player/8473553.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Jeff Zatkoff – Miami RedHawks Player Profile".Miami University Athletics.http://muredhawks.cstv.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/zatkoff_jeff00.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "CCHA All-Conference Teams".Augenblick.org.http://www.augenblick.org/chha/ccha_all.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Jeff Zatkoff Hockey Stats and Profile".HockeyDB.com.http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=81014.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Five Debuts Give ECHL 520 Players to Reach NHL".ECHL.https://web.archive.org/web/20131107170921/http://www.echl.com/five-debuts-give-echl-520-players-to-reach-nhl-p188159.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Penguins Pair Wins Hap Holmes Award".TheAHL.com.http://theahl.com/penguins-pair-wins-hap-holmes-award-p183336.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Penguins News – Jeff Zatkoff".NHL.com – Pittsburgh Penguins.http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=662618.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Penguins News – Jeff Zatkoff".NHL.com – Pittsburgh Penguins.http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=662800.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Penguins' Jeff Zatkoff".TribLive.http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/4866722-74/penguins-zatkoff-season.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Penguins photo gallery".TribLive.http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/pensgalleries/4962258-74/penguins-blue-jackets#axzz2jXlIf1eu.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Game Center – Pittsburgh Penguins vs. San Jose Sharks – June 12, 2016".NHL.com.2016-06-12.https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/pit-vs-sjs/2016/06/12/2015030416.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "LA Kings – Jeff Zatkoff".NHL.com – Los Angeles Kings.http://kings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=888282.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "LA Kings trade Jeff Zatkoff to Columbus Blue Jackets".NHL.com – Los Angeles Kings.https://www.nhl.com/kings/news/la-kings-trade-jeff-zatkoff-to-columbus-blue-jackets/c-295183984.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Jeff Zatkoff – Player Profile".Eurohockey.com.http://www.eurohockey.com/player/497158-.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Jeff Zatkoff Stats and News".Hockey-Reference.com.https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/z/zatkoje01.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Joueurs Pro".Publications Sports.https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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