North Iowa goalie Skinner gets called up to the NAHL

January 1, 2020

The North Iowa Bulls, proud members of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL), are excited to announce that goaltender Dysen Skinner has been called up to the Minnesota Magicians of the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

 

Magicians Head Coach A.J. Bucchino, himself a former professional goaltender, turned to Skinner for every second of the Magicians' three games against the Springfield Jr. Blues and Fairbanks Ice Dogs prior to Christmas, after the team signed Skinner to an NAHL tender this past January. Skinner remained with the team after Christmas, starting this past Friday's game against Chippewa and appearing in relief on Saturday.

 

The Billings, Montana native earned three of a possible six points for the Magicians in his debut weekend, picking up a win over Springfield in his first NAHL game against Springfield, and taking an overtime loss two days later against Fairbanks.

 

"It felt very good to get the first win out of the way, and to prove that I can play in this league," said Skinner. "The first game was a complete team effort and a good, hard-fought win."

 

The second-year Bulls backstop was named the game's First Star in his first NAHL game, making 31 saves on 32 Springfield shots in a 4-1 win. After allowing a tying goal in the opening two minutes of the third quarter, Minnesota responded quickly, supporting Skinner with three unanswered goals.

 

Through his first five NAHL appearances, he has boasted a goals-against average of 3.10, and his save percentage of .918 is the best of any of Minnesota's five goaltenders thus far.

 

More than three dozen Bulls players have appeared in the North American Hockey League after donning a North Iowa sweater. Eight of those - including three active players - went on to join NCAA Division I programs. Thanks to his time with the Magicians, Skinner is the fifth Bull this season to suit up for an NAHL team.