Jeff Skinner
Skinner with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013
Born (1992-05-16) May 16, 1992
Markham, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 187 lb (85 kg; 13 st 5 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Buffalo Sabres
Carolina Hurricanes
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 7th overall, 2010
Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career 2010–present

Jeffrey Scott Skinner (born May 16, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the Carolina Hurricanes for eight seasons, and was an alternate captain of the Hurricanes from 2016 to 2018.

Selected seventh overall by the Hurricanes in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Skinner was the youngest player in the NHL during the 2010–11 season and is the youngest player ever to play in the NHL All-Star Game, as well as any All-Star game within the four major North American sports leagues. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy for best rookie in the 2010–11 season, becoming the first Hurricanes player to do so.

As of April 14, 2023, Skinner holds the NHL record for the most games played without making a playoff appearance with 932, surpassing Ron Hainsey’s previous record of 907 games.

Early life

Skinner was born on May 16, 1992, to lawyers Andrew Skinner and Elisabeth Campin. He has five siblings, each of whom either are or have been involved with hockey. He is the second-youngest among the siblings, four of whom are sisters: Jennifer, Andrea, Erica, and the youngest of the Skinner family, Jillian.[1] Andrea formerly served as captain of the Cornell University women's hockey team and was named to Hockey Canada's board of directors in 2020,[2] and later appointed as interim chair, the first woman to lead the organization.[3] He also has one brother, Benjamin, who was in the Kitchener Rangers system and later played for the Herforder EV in Germany.[4]

Playing career

Involved in both ice hockey and figure skating growing up, he won a bronze medal in the juvenile division at the 2004 Canadian Junior National Figure Skating Championships.[5][1] Soon after, he made the decision to focus solely on hockey. Skinner played minor ice hockey with the Toronto Jr. Canadians and Toronto Young Nationals of the Greater Toronto Hockey League and the Markham Waxers of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association. In his midget hockey career Skinner played on the wing with future Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog.[6] He played in the 2005 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with Markham.[7]

Junior

Skinner as a Kitchener Ranger in September 2010

Coming off a successful season with the Toronto Young Nationals, Skinner was drafted 20th overall in the 2008 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft by the Kitchener Rangers.[8] He made his OHL debut on September 18, 2008, where he recorded two goals and an assist in the 4–2 win over the Plymouth Whalers.[9] By November 13, 2008, Skinner was selected to compete with Team Canada at the 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge,[10] where he helped the team win a gold medal by scoring the game-winning goal.[11] A few days later, Skinner was presented with the Rangers Academic Player of the Month Award for his academic success while attending Eastwood Collegiate Institute.[12]

After leading the Rangers in scoring through his rookie campaign, Skinner participated in the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament,[13] scoring 6 goals for 6 points, while winning the gold medal with Team Canada.[14] Upon his return to the Ontario Hockey League for his sophomore season, he was named an Assistant Captain alongside Mike Mascioli.[15] During the season, Skinner scored 50 goals and led all CHL draft-eligible forwards in goal scoring. He became the first Ranger in 23 years to reach the 50-goal milestone.[16] However, despite leading the league in goals at the time, the NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked Skinner as the 47th best North American skater during their midterm rankings,[17] and only 34th during the final rankings. This contrasted ratings from other organizations such as ISS and TSN's Bob McKenzie who had him much higher.[18]

Professional

Carolina Hurricanes

In his first year of eligibility, Skinner was drafted in the first round, seventh overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.[19] At the time of his selection, the Hurricanes’ director of amateur scouting stated ”There’s nobody in the draft that scores goals like Jeff Skinner."[20] During his first NHL training camp, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Hurricanes on September 21, 2010, worth $2.7 million.[21] On October 7, Skinner made his NHL debut with the opening roster in the Hurricanes' 4–3 win against the Minnesota Wild during the NHL Premiere Series in Helsinki, Finland. In 16 minutes of ice time, he had two shots.[22] The following day, Skinner recorded his first career NHL point with an assist on Tuomo Ruutu's goal. He also scored the game winning shootout goal to become the third-youngest player in NHL history to score a shootout goal.[23] On October 20, Skinner scored his first NHL career goal against Jonathan Bernier of the Los Angeles Kings in his fifth game of the season.[24]

Skinner with the Hurricanes during his sophomore season in 2011.

Midway through his rookie campaign, Skinner was named to the 2011 All-Star Game roster as an injury replacement for Sidney Crosby, making him the first member of the 2010 draft class to be named to the All-Star Game, and the first 18-year-old NHL All-Star since Steve Yzerman.[25] He was chosen by fellow Hurricane Eric Staal, captain of Team Staal. He was later named January 2011's NHL Rookie of the Month.[26] At the NHL Awards ceremony on June 22, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Skinner was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top rookie, beating-out fellow rookies Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks and Michael Grabner of the New York Islanders. At that time, he was the NHL's youngest player as well as the first Hurricanes player to ever win the Calder.[27][28]

After his successful rookie campaign, Skinner was named to Team Canada's National Team to compete at the 2011 IIHF World Championship, becoming the youngest player in the tournament.[29] However, he returned to the Hurricanes lineup for his sophomore season without a medal after Canada placed fifth.[30] Skinner began the season strong, recording 12 goals and 12 assists in 30 games to lead the team in scoring, yet it would be cut short due to a hit by Andy Sutton.[31] The hit which occurred during a game against the Edmonton Oilers on December 7, 2011, caused Skinner to miss time due to a concussion. He eventually returned to the Hurricanes lineup after missing 16 games on January 5, 2012.[32] As Skinner slowly accumulated to playing again,[33] he was suspended two games for kicking Scott Nichol of the St. Louis Blues on March 15, 2012.[34][35]

During the offseason, and the final year of his Entry Level Contract, Skinner and the Hurricanes agreed to a six-year contract extension worth $34.4 million which would keep him under contract until the 2018–19 season.[36] His third season in the NHL was once again plagued with injuries as on February 14, 2013, Skinner was diagnosed with an upper-body injury, later deemed a concussion, after a game in Toronto.[37]

To begin the 2013–14 season, Skinner recorded nine points in nine games to lead the team.[38] On December 4, 2013 Skinner earned his first career hat trick against the Nashville Predators.[39] However, his high scoring play ended during the 2014–15 season when he sustained a concussion on a hit from Washington Capitals defenceman Matt Niskanen.[40] He accumulated only 31 points that season and had an eight game long pointless streak.[41]

On December 11, 2015, Skinner recorded his second hat trick against the Anaheim Ducks in a 5-1 victory.[42] Three games later, on December 15, 2015, he scored another hat trick, this time against the Philadelphia Flyers.[43] Skinner was named alternate captain of the Hurricanes for the 2016–17[44] and the 2017–18 seasons.[45]

Buffalo Sabres

Skinner (middle) against the Seattle Kraken in 2022.

On August 2, 2018, after eight seasons with the Hurricanes, Skinner was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Cliff Pu, a second-round selection in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, a third-Round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, and a sixth-round pick the same draft.[46] In November 2018, Skinner became the second player in Sabres' history to score 20 goals before December, and the seventh player to score at least 20 goals in less than 27 games.[47] On April 6, Skinner scored twice in the season finale against the Detroit Red Wings, upping his total to 40 goals scored on the season, the first time in his career that he has reached that mark.[48]

On June 7, 2019, Skinner re-signed with the Sabres on an eight-year, $72 million contract extension with an annual average of $9 million.[49] He struggled under new head coach Ralph Krueger, receiving limited icetime and limited opportunities, scoring just 21 goals and 37 points in 102 games in the next 2 seasons.[50]

In 2021–22, Skinner enjoyed a bounce back season under new head coach Don Granato, scoring 33 goals and matching his career-high of 63 points for the fourth time. He received a three-game suspension for cross-checking Jake Guentzel of the Pittsburgh Penguins during an altercation between the Penguins and Sabres on December 9, 2022.[51]

Goal Songs

Since the 2021-2022 season, the Buffalo Sabres have allowed players to choose their own song when they score a goal

2021-2022 - Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus[52]

2022-2023 - I Wanna Dance with Somebody - Whitney Houston[53]

2023-2024 - Breaking Free - Troy Bolton, Gabriella Montez[54]

Personal life

During his tenure with the Hurricanes, Skinner launched the '53's Difference Makers' Program, aimed to recognize local teachers at home games.[55]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2007–08Toronto Young Nats AAAGTHL U163644246899—————
2008–09Kitchener RangersOHL6327245172—————
2009–10Kitchener RangersOHL64504090342020133314
2010–11Carolina HurricanesNHL8231326346—————
2011–12Carolina HurricanesNHL6420244456—————
2012–13Carolina HurricanesNHL4213112426—————
2013–14Carolina HurricanesNHL7133215422—————
2014–15Carolina HurricanesNHL7718133118—————
2015–16Carolina HurricanesNHL8228235138—————
2016–17Carolina HurricanesNHL7937266328—————
2017–18Carolina HurricanesNHL8224254934—————
2018–19Buffalo SabresNHL8240236336—————
2019–20Buffalo SabresNHL591492318—————
2020–21Buffalo SabresNHL53771414—————
2021–22Buffalo SabresNHL8033306342—————
2022–23Buffalo SabresNHL7935478239—————
NHL totals932333291624417—————

International


Skinner at the 2012 World Championships
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Silver medal – second place2017 Germany/France
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2009 Canada Ontario U17 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 2 4 6 4
2009 Canada IH18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 4 6 0 6 16
2011 Canada WC 5th 7 3 3 6 8
2012 Canada WC 5th 8 3 2 5 4
2013 Canada WC 5th 8 2 2 4 2
2017 Canada WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 10 4 5 9 27
Junior totals 10 8 4 12 20
Senior totals 33 12 12 24 41

References

  1. 1 2 Lysowski, Lance (December 14, 2018). "Jeff Skinner using lessons from family, figure skating to succeed with Sabres". buffalonews.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Hockey Canada board adds five new members, including three women".
  3. ↑ "Hockey Canada appoints Andrea Skinner as interim chair, the first woman to lead organization". Toronto Star. August 9, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Ice Dragons verpflichten neuen Kontingentspieler!". Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  5. ↑ 2004 BMO Skate Canada Junior Nationals - Juvenile Men Results Archived January 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ Kimelman, Adam (December 21, 2014). "'Born leader' Landeskog grows with Avalanche". nhl.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Rangers Sign First Round Selection Jeffrey Skinner". kitchenerrangers.com. August 21, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Rangers open season with win on home ice". kitchenerrangers.com. September 18, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Jeff Skinner Selected for Ontario Under 17 Team". kitchenerrangers.com. November 13, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  11. ↑ "ONTARIO WINS SECOND CONSECUTIVE U17 GOLD MEDAL". kitchenerrangers.com. January 4, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Jeff Skinner Named Rangers Academic Player of the Month". kitchenerrangers.com. November 18, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Skinner to Represent Canada at Ivan Hlinka Under 18 Tournament". kitchenerrangers.com. August 4, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Skinner brings home gold". kitchenerrangers.com. August 14, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Rangers Announce Captains". kitchenerrangers.com. September 16, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Jeff Skinner Scores Number Fifty". 570news.com. March 13, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  17. ↑ "2010 North American Skaters Midterm Rankings". nhl.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  18. ↑ Ralph, Christopher (June 24, 2010). "The Hockey Spy's 2010 NHL Entry Draft Preview". thehockeywriters.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  19. ↑ Preston, Ken (June 26, 2010). "Canes Draft Jeff Skinner in First Round, 7th Overall". nhl.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Draft Profile: Jeff Skinner". nhl.com. June 23, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  21. ↑ Chris Robinson (September 21, 2010). "Hurricanes Sign Skinner to Entry-Level Contract". NHL.com.
  22. ↑ Kimelman, Adam (October 7, 2010). "Six from 2010 Draft class make opening-night cut". NHL.com. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  23. ↑ Martin Jones (November 11, 2010). "Carolina Hurricanes Report: Skinner, Staal Lead Sudden Goal-Scoring Explosion". Bleacher Report.
  24. ↑ "Canes' Skinner gets first NHL goal". NHL.com. October 21, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Hurricane's Jeff Skinner sets mark as youngest-ever All-Star". The Mercury News. January 30, 2011.
  26. ↑ Preston, Ken (February 2, 2011). "Skinner Named NHL Rookie of the Month for January". NHL.com. Carolina Hurricanes. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner claims Calder Trophy as rookie of the year". NHL.com. June 22, 2011.
  28. ↑ Ken Preston (June 22, 2011). "Canes Forward Jeff Skinner Wins Calder Trophy". NHL.com.
  29. ↑ "CANADIAN TEENAGER JEFF SKINNER MAKING BIRTHDAY PLANS AFTER WORLDS". hockeycanada.ca. May 5, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Hockey Canada head says IIHF losses 'totally unacceptable'". Toronto Star. May 13, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Hurricanes place forward Skinner on IR". sportsnet.ca. December 21, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Carolina's Jeff Skinner activated after missing 16 games with concussion". NHL.com. January 5, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  33. ↑ Yerdon, Joe (March 6, 2012). "Jeff Skinner is almost his old, young self again". nhl.nbcsports.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  34. ↑ Sean Leahy (March 16, 2012). "Hurricanes' Jeff Skinner given 2-game suspension for kicking Scott Nichol". Yahoosports.
  35. ↑ Michael Smith (March 16, 2012). "Skinner Suspended for Two Games". NHL.com.
  36. ↑ "Skinner, 'Canes agree on 6-year extension". NHL.com. August 8, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  37. ↑ "Carolina says forward Jeff Skinner has concussion, lists him as day to day". NHL.com. February 20, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  38. ↑ Jones, Mark (October 23, 2013). "Carolina Hurricanes: Breaking Down Jeff Skinner's Hot Start to 2013-14 Season". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Jeff Skinner records first career hat trick". theScore.com. December 5, 2013.
  40. ↑ Peters, Chris (October 6, 2014). "Jeff Skinner sidelined indefinitely with concussion". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  41. ↑ Jones, Mark (February 5, 2015). "Jeff Skinner's Awful 2014-15 Season of Concern to Carolina Hurricanes". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Jeff Skinner nets a hat trick, Hurricanes beat Ducks". Sportsnet. December 12, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Hurricanes winger Jeff Skinner earns second hat trick in three games". Sports Illustrated. December 15, 2015.
  44. ↑ "Skinner leading candidate to be Hurricanes' next captain". NHL.com. September 22, 2017.
  45. ↑ Morton, Kyle (October 5, 2017). "Hurricanes Name Jordan Staal and Justin Faulk as Co-Captains, Jeff Skinner as Alternate". Canes Country. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  46. ↑ Williams, Terrell (August 2, 2018). "Canes Deal Skinner to Sabres for Picks, Prospect". NHL.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  47. ↑ Bove, Matt (November 30, 2018). "5 Observations: Panthers top Sabres 3-2 in OT". WKBW. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Sabres' Jeff Skinner: Hits 40 goals for first time". CBS Sports. April 6, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Sabres sign Skinner to 8-year contract". Buffalo Sabres. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  50. ↑ Kuter, Daniel (January 2, 2020). "Sabres Need Skinner to Find His Spark". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  51. ↑ "Skinner suspended three games for actions in Sabres game". NHL.com. December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  52. ↑ "twitter.com". Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  53. ↑ "twitter.com". Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  54. ↑ "twitter.com". Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  55. ↑ Williams, Terrell (October 27, 2016). "Skinner Launches '53's Difference Makers' Program". nhl.com. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
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