Background
His father, Jeff, was drafted by the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association after playing collegiately at Eastern Michigan.
His father, Jeff, was drafted by the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association after playing collegiately at Eastern Michigan.
He signed a two-year contract with Pittsburgh on July 1, 2012 and made his National Hockey League debut on October 11, 2013. Jeff is the great nephew of Roger Zatkoff, who played in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Zatkoff was drafted in the third round of the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft, 74th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings after playing collegiately for the Miami University Redhawks.
Jeff was named CCHA All-Conference Team honorable mention in 2006-2007 as a sophomore.
On April 10, 2008, Zatkoff 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.
He made his professional debut with the Reign, appearing in 37 games during the 2008-2009 season. Zatkoff played for the Manchester Monarchs through the 2011-2012 season.
Zatkoff signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1, 2012.
On March 28, 2013, Zatkoff 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 Zatkoff was returned to Wilkes-Barre the following day when doctors cleared Fleury to return. Zatkoff and teammate Brad Thiessen were awarded with the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award at the conclusion of the 2012-2013 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.
Zatkoff was expected to spend the 2013-2014 season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. However, a blood clot suffered by Vokoun meant that Zatkoff started the season backing up Pittsburgh starter Marc-André Fleury.
On October 11, 2013, Zatkoff made his National Hockey League debut, making 24 saves in a 6–3 loss to the Florida Panthers. His first National Hockey League victory was a 3–0 shutout of the Blue Jackets in Columbus on November 2, 2013.
Jeff represented the United States at the 2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, held in Sweden, where his team earned a bronze medal.