Stuart Daniel Skinner[1] (born November 1, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the third round, 78th overall, in the 2017 NHL entry draft by the Edmonton Oilers, with whom he played parts of five seasons before being traded to Pittsburgh in 2025.
| Stuart Skinner | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Skinner with the Edmonton Oilers in 2023 | |||
| Born |
November 1, 1998 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | ||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | ||
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Pittsburgh Penguins Edmonton Oilers | ||
| NHL draft |
78th overall, 2017 Edmonton Oilers | ||
| Playing career | 2018–present | ||
Playing career
editSkinner was born and raised in Edmonton, and played minor ice hockey at the South Side Athletic Club (SSAC), including overlapping seasons on the SSAC Lions of the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League (AMBHL) with future Edmonton Oilers teammates Tyler Benson (two SSAC seasons) and James Hamblin (one SSAC season).[2]
Junior
editSkinner played major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Swift Current Broncos.[3]
On March 18, 2016, Skinner scored an empty net goal with the Lethbridge Hurricanes against the Medicine Hat Tigers, making him the only goaltender in franchise history and the seventh in WHL history to do so.[4][5]
Edmonton Oilers
edit
After his selection in the 2017 NHL entry draft, Skinner was later signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers on May 14, 2018.[6]
Entering the final year of his entry-level contract, Skinner remained on the Oilers roster to start the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season. With an injury to veteran Mike Smith, Skinner served as the Oilers' backup to Mikko Koskinen through the first 9 games.[7] He made his NHL debut and first career start on January 31, 2021, against the Ottawa Senators, collecting his first win in an 8–5 victory.[8] Skinner would spend the remainder of the season with the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL). He would lead all goaltenders in wins with 20, and helped backstop Bakersfield to the Pacific Division Championship.[9]
Skinner would split the 2021–22 season between the AHL and the NHL. On February 14, 2022, Skinner recorded his first NHL shutout against the San Jose Sharks, making 20 saves to win the game 3–0.[10]
During the 2022–23 season, with the departure of Mikko Koskinen and injury to Mike Smith, Skinner was initially expected to be the backup to newly-signed goaltender Jack Campbell. Skinner's strong play, along with Campbell's struggling performance, led Skinner to take over the starter position.[11] On January 19, 2023, the NHL announced Skinner as one of three final players of the Pacific Division voted in the 2023 NHL All-Star Game, along with teammate Leon Draisaitl.[12][13] Skinner ultimately appeared in 50 games in the regular season, recording a 29–14–5 record with a .914 save percentage. He was voted a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy, the NHL's Rookie of the Year award.[14]
The beginning of the Oilers' 2023–24 season got off to a less than ideal start. The team started the season poorly, going 3–9–1, their worst start since the 1993–94 season. With Skinner's early struggles and Campbell's poor play continuing from the previous season, Campbell was waived by the Oilers on November 7, 2023, for the purpose of assigning him to the American Hockey League. Campbell's demotion effectively made Skinner the defacto starting goaltender for the Oilers.[15] After Campbell cleared waivers, the Oilers would then recall Calvin Pickard from Bakersfield, on November 8.[16] Four days later, the Oilers fired then-head coach Jay Woodcroft and replaced him with Kris Knoblauch, on November 12. The team's fortunes soon experienced an eventual rejuvenation in their performance, leading to a significant rebound and ultimately achieving a record of 46 wins, 18 losses, and 5 overtime losses under the leadership of Knoblauch.[17][18] This includes a franchise-high 16-game winning streak, setting a new Canadian and franchise record, which during this time, Skinner recorded his 11th consecutive win, beating the franchise record of 10, previously held by Grant Fuhr, on January 23, 2024.[19][20]
Pittsburgh Penguins
editFollowing a middling start to the Oilers' season by the team for the third year in a row,[21][22] Skinner was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 12, 2025, along with defenceman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick, in exchange for goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin.[23][24] At the time of the trade, Skinner had an 11–8–4 record through 23 games, two shutouts, a 2.83 GAA and a .891 save percentage.[23]
Skinner played his first game with the Penguins on December 16, which coincidentally happened to be against the Oilers.[25] The Penguins lost 6–4, with Skinner making 17 saves.[26]
Personal life
editSkinner is the youngest of nine siblings, all of whom have first names that begin with the letter "S".[27] He met his wife, Chloe, after a WHL game he played in Lethbridge; they married in June 2020.[27] Their first son, Beau, was born in 2023 and their second son, Darcy, was born in 2025.[28][29]
Career statistics
editRegular season and playoffs
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 2011–12 | SSAC Lions | AMBHL | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2.59 | .910 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | 2.60 | .900 | ||
| 2012–13 | SSAC Lions | AMBHL | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1.75 | .929 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.45 | .947 | ||
| 2013–14 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 197 | 17 | 0 | 5.17 | .866 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | 43 | 13 | 20 | 5 | 2,327 | 143 | 1 | 3.69 | .909 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2015–16 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | 44 | 27 | 10 | 1 | 2,238 | 102 | 3 | 2.73 | .920 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 191 | 12 | 0 | 3.76 | .862 | ||
| 2016–17 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | 60 | 34 | 18 | 2 | 3,386 | 184 | 2 | 3.26 | .905 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 12,43 | 64 | 0 | 3.09 | .916 | ||
| 2017–18 | Lethbridge Hurricanes | WHL | 31 | 14 | 15 | 0 | 1,737 | 98 | 4 | 3.38 | .897 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Swift Current Broncos | WHL | 25 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 1,433 | 64 | 2 | 2.68 | .914 | 26 | 16 | 10 | 1,609 | 59 | 6 | 2.20 | .932 | ||
| 2018–19 | Wichita Thunder | ECHL | 41 | 15 | 14 | 7 | 2,260 | 119 | 4 | 3.16 | .903 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 362 | 18 | 0 | 2.99 | .879 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 175 | 7 | 0 | 2.39 | .918 | ||
| 2019–20 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL | 41 | 16 | 17 | 6 | 2,267 | 125 | 1 | 3.31 | .892 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Wichita Thunder | ECHL | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 182 | 11 | 0 | 3.62 | .894 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 5 | 0 | 5.03 | .868 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL | 31 | 20 | 9 | 1 | 1,787 | 125 | 2 | 2.38 | .914 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 336 | 15 | 0 | 2.68 | .907 | ||
| 2021–22 | Bakersfield Condors | AHL | 35 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 2,088 | 77 | 5 | 2.21 | .920 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 298 | 14 | 0 | 2.82 | .911 | ||
| 2021–22 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 13 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 735 | 32 | 1 | 2.62 | .913 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 50 | 29 | 14 | 5 | 2,904 | 133 | 1 | 2.75 | .914 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 619 | 38 | 0 | 3.68 | .883 | ||
| 2023–24 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 59 | 36 | 16 | 5 | 3,362 | 147 | 2 | 2.62 | .905 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 1,373 | 56 | 1 | 2.45 | .901 | ||
| 2024–25 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 51 | 26 | 18 | 4 | 2,942 | 138 | 3 | 2.81 | .896 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 881 | 44 | 3 | 2.99 | .889 | ||
| 2025–26 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 23 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 1,317 | 62 | 2 | 2.83 | .891 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2025–26 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 27 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 1,605 | 80 | 0 | 2.99 | .885 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 175 | 9 | 0 | 3.08 | .873 | ||
| NHL totals | 224 | 121 | 71 | 23 | 12,923 | 597 | 9 | 2.77 | .902 | 53 | 26 | 25 | 3,049 | 147 | 4 | 2.89 | .892 | ||||
International
editAwards and honours
edit| Award | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| AMBHL | ||
| Champion (SSAC Lions) | 2012 | |
| Best GAA (1.75) | 2013 | |
| Top Goaltender | 2013 | |
| WHL | ||
| Ed Chynoweth Cup champion | 2018 | |
| NHL | ||
| NHL All-Star Game | 2023 | |
| NHL All-Rookie Team | 2023 | [30] |
References
edit- ↑ "Stuart Skinner was youngest of nine children, starting his Edmonton Oilers journey". Edmonton Journal. September 11, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
- ↑ Horrobin, Liam (November 29, 2022). "The South Siders". oilersnation.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ↑ "Edmonton Oilers use 78th pick to take Stuart Skinner from Lethbridge Hurricanes". Edmonton Journal. June 24, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ↑ "Lethbridge Hurricanes Goaltender Scores A Goal". ingoal.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ↑ Mahiban, Dhiren (March 20, 2016). "Goalie Skinner makes WHL history with rare goal as Lethbridge Hurricanes clinch Central title". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ↑ "Oilers sign Skinner to entry-level deal". Edmonton Journal. May 14, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ↑ "Stuart Skinner to get the start for Oilers against Senators". Edmonton Journal. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- ↑ Van Diest, Derek (January 31, 2021). "Draisaitl has six assists in Oilers win against Senators". NHL.com. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- ↑ Laing, Zach (May 30, 2021). "Bakersfield Condors win AHL Pacific Division title". oilersnation.com. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- ↑ Wilkins, Reid (February 15, 2022). "Edmonton Oilers shut out Sharks". Global News. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ↑ Nugent-Bowman, Daniel (December 6, 2022). "Stuart Skinner has been the Oilers' saviour — and that's not a good thing". The Athletic. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ↑ "Edmonton Oilers: All-Star berth completes hat-trick for Stuart Skinner". edmontonsun. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ↑ "Auston Matthews Leon Draisaitl Stuart Skinner Bo Horvat Connor Hellebuyck 2023 NHL All-star Game". TSN. January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ↑ Satriano, David (May 3, 2023). "Beniers, Power, Skinner named Calder Trophy finalists". NHL.com. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ↑ "Struggling Oilers place goalie Jack Campbell on waivers". November 7, 2023.
- ↑ Matheson, Jim (November 8, 2023). "A touch of irony with Pickard replacing Campbell in the nets". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ↑ National Hockey League (November 12, 2023). "Woodcroft fired as Oilers coach, replaced by Knoblauch". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ↑ Shilton, Kristin (November 12, 2023). "Oilers fire coach Jay Woodcroft, hire AHL's Kris Knoblauch". ESPN.com. ESPN Enterprises Inc. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Oilers win 14th in a row with 4-1 decision over Blue Jackets". The Globe and Mail. January 23, 2024. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ↑ Van Diest, Derek (February 7, 2024). "Oilers moving on after winning streak ends at 16". NHL.com. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ↑ Allen Mitchell (November 2, 2025). "Edmonton Oilers avoid October crisis but it still feels like a missed opportunity". New York Times. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
- ↑ David Staples (December 4, 2025). "Sorry but this is a much worse world of pain than other bad starts for the Edmonton Oilers". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
- 1 2 "Skinner, Kulak traded to Penguins by Oilers for Jarry". National Hockey League. December 12, 2025. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Oilers acquire Jarry from Penguins for Skinner, Kulak and pick". Sportsnet. December 12, 2025. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Spector, Mark (December 16, 2025). "Penguins' Skinner ready to 'rip off the Band-Aid' in first start against Oilers". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ↑ Crosby, Wes (December 16, 2025). "Draisaitl surpasses 1,000 NHL points in Oilers win against Penguins". NHL.com. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- 1 2 Nugent-Bowman, Daniel. "How Stuart Skinner became Oilers' 'young goalie on the rise' and what's next for him to realize potential". The Athletic. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
- ↑ Umbach, Jamie (January 23, 2023). "BLOG: Chloe, Stuart welcome first-born Beau to Skinner family". NHL.com. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ↑ "BLOG: Skinner family celebrates the birth of their second son Darcy". NHL.com.com. January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ↑ "NHL announces 2022-23 All-Rookie Team". NHL.com. June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or ESPN.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database