Skidmore joined the Vermont coaching staff as an Assistant Coach on July 1, 2025 after serving in the same capacity at Niagara for the last three seasons.
“This is a great hire for our program,” said Wiedler. “Nate’s work ethic, mindset, and coaching ability are the perfect fit for our staff, and players. He has a proven track record of recruiting and developing players at the DI level. I look forward to Nate hitting the ground running with our program and joining us as we continue to push this program forward.”
At Niagara, Skidmore oversaw the penalty kill, as well as forward and goalie development. Last season, Niagara University finished 10th in NCAA Goals For, 1st in Goalie Saves, and 25th in Penalty Kill Percentage. The Purple Eagles won at least 18 games all three years he was with the program. Last season Niagara finished fourth in Atlantic Hockey America their best finish since the 2012-13 campaign.
Prior to heading to Niagara, Skidmore spent the 2021-22 season as an assistant coach at Williams College helping them to a 10-7-1 conference record. In 2020-21 was an assistant coach for the Odessa Jackalopes in the North American Hockey League. Skidmore helped lead the Jackalopes to an 81.6% penalty kill.
He started his coaching career at RPI as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2019-20 season following his graduation from SUNY Potsdam in 2019. While at Potsdam, he played four seasons for the Bears.