Senior Spotlight: Tatum Skaggs
5/6/2021 9:11:02 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
As the 2020-21 academic year comes to a close, the Buckeyes pay tribute to its five seniors who helped the Scarlet and Gray reach new heights, including two Frozen Four appearances in the last four years and the program’s first WCHA Championship.
A native of Hartland, Wisc., Tatum Skaggs played in 132 games for the Buckeyes during her four-year career and finished with more goals – 65 – than any active player on the 2020-21 roster. She was Ohio State’s leading scorer in 2020-21 with 19 points and tied for the team lead with 11 assists. She is set to graduate on Sunday with her degree in special education.
And to say she’s scored big goals in big moments would be an understatement. In 2020 at the WCHA Final Faceoff, she had game-winning goals in both the semifinals and finals – vs. No. 3 Minnesota and No. 2 Wisconsin – to give the Buckeyes their first-ever conference title. Not surprisingly, she was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
“Ohio State has been nothing but amazing,” Skaggs said recently on the Tim May Podcast. “The opportunity to help build a program is something that I’ve taken pride in. By no means has it been perfect ut I hope to look back in the years to come and he grateful that I grinded through the good and the bad to build a program where girls want to be Buckeyes.”
A two-time All-WCHA performer, Skaggs’ impact goes far beyond hockey. She was an alternate captain during her senior season and was described by head coach Nadine Muzerall as someone who had that “momness to her” coming from a family with six brothers and sisters.
“I remember watching Tatum play with the Chicago Mission and her speed always stood out,” said Muzerall. “She played big with a little chip on her shoulder. She’s been a clutch player and come a long way on the defensive side. Tatum’s always upbeat and has a lot of personality. She’s infectious to those who are around her.”
Skaggs hopes that she hasn’t played her last hockey game, as her ambitions include either playing in the Olympics or in Europe.
“My dreams are to pursue the USA national team,” said Skaggs. “I hope I’m not done playing. If the Olympics don’t work out, I want to pursue playing in Europe and see where life takes me.”
Skaggs will receive her degree in special education on Sunday and plans to get into the field either through working in a school or an organization that helps kids with special needs.
“I have a passion for kids with special needs,” she said. “I want to help them get a chance to do all the things other kids do. There’s a need right now and I’m looking forward to getting into the field because I know I’ll love it.”
