The Sydney Ice Dogs are proud to announce the signing of 23-year-old goaltender Curtis Skip.

Skip appeared in 22 games with the University of Alberta-Augustana of the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) this past season, posting a 2.90 goals against average and leading the league with the highest save percentage, at .925.

The Alberta, Canada native has spent the past three seasons with the University of Alberta-Augustana and has led his team to the playoffs for the last two seasons - most recently posting .951 save percentage and 1.91 goals against average over 4 postseason games.

Last year he won the 2016-17 Male Athlete of the Year Award, for the University of Alberta Augustana.

The 180 cm and 78 kg player has also played in over 110 games in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). The goalie played for the Grande Prairie Storm from 2012 until 2015 before moving to the Drumheller Dragons for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. At 18 years old in his second year of junior, he represented Canada West at the 2012 World Junior A Challenge, bringing home a silver medal.

On the ice, Skip says that Ice Dogs fans can look for a goalie “that goes out and battles. I’ll never quit on a puck, and it doesn’t matter what the score is I’ll battle for the whole night. I like to play a high energy game, and I’ll work my hardest to give the boys a chance to win every time I’m in the net.”

The 23-year-old has always dreamt of coming over to play in Australia. “My former teammates Beau Taylor, Scott Swiston and Connor McLaughlin, played for the Newcastle Northstars. I’ve always wanted to come over and play if the opportunity ever presented itself… Coach Petrie reached out and contacted me about the possibility to play for the Ice Dogs, and the rest fell into place” says Skip. “I’m excited to come and compete and give the team the best chance to succeed this season. I’m excited to step out of my comfort zone and play in a different country. I hear nothing but good things about the people in Australia, and I’m very excited to make new connections and get to work with my teammates.”

Coach Andrew Petrie is thrilled to add the goaltender to the team. “It’s been a long summer of player recruitment, and I’m excited to add Curtis as the final piece of the puzzle. I was after a particular type of goalie and Curtis fits the brief perfectly. Several people I know and trust gave him big wraps, and he seems like a terrific young man. I think he’s going to be a huge asset for us in the coming AIHL season.”

Curtis Skip will fit right into the AIHL playing with the Ice Dogs. The season begins 21 April against the Newcastle Northstars at Macquarie Ice Rink.

Jump the queue and purchase your tickets online at: https://goo.gl/fimEuv