NHL Wiki
Advertisement
Jeff Zatkoff
Jeff Zatkoff
Born June 9, 1987 (1987-06-09) (age 36)
Detroit, Michigan
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight 179 lb (81 kg; 12 st 11 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL Draft 74th overall, 2006
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2008–present

Jeff Zatkoff (born on June 9, 1987) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing Career[]

Jeff was drafted in the third round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft (74th overall) by the Los Angeles Kings after playing collegiately for the Miami University Redhawks. He was named CCHA All-Conference Team honorable mention in 2006–07 as a sophomore.

Jeff was also named Rookie of the Year in 2005–06 as a freshman for the Redhawks, starting 20 games and helping lead the team to a regular-season CCHA Conference title.

On April 10, 2008, Jeff signed a three-year entry level contract with the Los Angeles Kings. He was also signed to an Amateur Try-Out Agreement with the Ontario Reign on April 11, 2008.

Jeff made his professional debut with the Reign, appearing in 37 games during the 2008–09 season. He played for the Manchester Monarchs through the 2011–12 season.

On July 1, 2012, Jeff signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On March 28, 2013, he was recalled by Pittsburgh to be a backup for Tomas Vokoun for a game against the Winnipeg Jets due to a neck injury suffered by Marc-Andre Fleury. Vokoun played the entire game and he was returned to Wilkes-Barre the following day when doctors cleared Fleury to return.

Jeff and teammate Brad Thiessen were awarded with the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award at the conclusion of the 2012–13 AHL season. The Hap Holmes Award is given to the goaltender(s) who play at least 25 games for the team that allows the fewest goals against over the course of the season.

Jeff was expected to spend the 2013–14 season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, but a blood clot suffered by Vokoun meant that Zatkoff started the season backing up Pittsburgh starter Marc-Andre Fleury.

On October 11, 2013, Jeff made his NHL debut, making 24 saves in a 6–3 loss to the Florida Panthers. His first NHL victory was a 3–0 shutout of the Blue Jackets in Columbus on November 2, 2013.

On April 13, 2016, Jeff started Game 1 of the Penguins' first round series against the New York Rangers. Regular starter Marc-Andre Fleury was out with a concussion. He made 35 saves on 37 shots and was named the game's second star, helping the Penguins to a 5–2 win.

On June 12, 2016, Jeff and the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup.

Career Statistics[]

Regular season and playoffs[]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2004–05 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 24 13 6 3 1271 54 1 2.55 .914 2 0 0 67 10 0 8.88 .706
2005–06 Miami RedHawks CCHA 20 14 5 1 1217 41 3 2.02 .928
2006–07 Miami RedHawks CCHA 26 14 8 3 1542 58 1 2.26 .919
2007–08 Miami RedHawks CCHA 36 27 8 1 2161 62 3 1.72 .933
2008–09 Ontario Reign ECHL 37 17 15 3 2164 107 1 2.97 .915 7 3 3 418 26 0 3.73 .872
2008–09 Manchester Monarchs AHL 3 1 2 0 182 7 0 2.31 .918
2009–10 Manchester Monarchs AHL 22 10 9 0 1170 57 2 2.92 .915
2010–11 Manchester Monarchs AHL 45 20 17 5 2508 112 3 2.68 .911 5 1 3 253 16 0 3.80 .891
2011–12 Manchester Monarchs AHL 44 21 17 1 2431 101 3 2.49 .920 2 0 2 97 7 0 4.34 .865
2012–13 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 49 26 20 0 2799 90 5 1.93 .920 5 2 3 253 23 0 5.45 .838
2013–14 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 20 12 6 2 1171 51 1 2.61 .912
2014–15 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 37 18 14 4 2155 88 3 2.45 .910 2 0 0 59 1 0 1.02 .958
2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 1 0 1 0 37 1 0 1.62 .941
2015–16 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 14 4 7 1 732 34 0 2.79 .917 2 1 1 117 6 0 3.07 .908
NHL totals 35 16 14 3 1940 86 1 2.66 .915 2 1 1 117 6 0 3.07 .908

International Play[]

Medal record
Competitor for Flag of the United States United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Bronze 2007 Sweden

Jeff represented the United States at the 2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships that was held in Sweden where his team earned a bronze medal.

Accolades[]

Award Year
College
All-CCHA Second Team 2007–08
CCHA All-Tournament Team 2008
AHL
Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award 2013
NHL
Stanley Cup Champion 2016

Personal Life[]

Jeff is the great nephew of Roger Zatkoff, who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. His father (also named Jeff) was drafted by the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) after playing collegiately at Eastern Michigan.

Advertisement