Stuart Skinner

October 2020 – Last season was definitely a learning season for Stuart as he was tasked with backstopping a struggling Bakersfield Condors team. This season will be a big one for young the goaltender. He will be given every opportunity to be the Condors’ starter and the Oilers organization will likely need to be patient with him but an improvement on his .892 save percentage from last year is definitely a fair expectation. With Rodrigue turning pro this season and Konovalov likely coming over to North America in the future, Skinner will need to continue to develop and improve to stay ahead of the pack. Jameson Ewasiuk 

March 2020 – When the Condors’ starting goaltender Shane Starrett when down with an injury early on in the season, the door opened for Dylan Wells and Stuart Skinner to battle it out for the starting position. Skinner won the starting job as an AHL rookie and while he has not exactly been consistent with the job, he also does not have the best squad in front of him. Between injuries, skater regression and NHL call ups the Condors find themselves second last in the AHL with very few players having “strong” seasons. In 41 games played this season Skinner has managed a 16-17-6 record to go along with a 3.31 goals-against average and 0.892 save percentage. His numbers do not exactly scream future NHL netminder but to be fair to the AHL rookie, has not exactly been put in a position to succeed. At 21-years-old, the Oilers can afford to be a patient with the young backstop and let him develop properly. Jameson Ewasiuk

March 2019 – Like many goaltenders making the transition to pro, the season has been a learning experience for Skinner. In 30 games for the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL, the young netminder has recorded a 3.20 goals against average and a .906 save percentage, and in six games for the Bakersfield Condors he has managed a 2.99 goals against average and a .879 save percentage. His numbers aren’t outstanding by any means but having just turned 20 in November, there is still lots of time for him to season before being expected to contribute in the NHL. Goalie prospects can take longer to develop and patience may be key with this player. Jameson Ewasiuk

June 2018 – After a strong start to his WHL career, including a .920 sv% in 2015-16, Skinner has seen his numbers decline in each of the last two years. Prior to being traded to the Swift Current Broncos on January ninth, the young goaltender posted a lacklustre 3.38 gaa and a 0.897 sv% in 31 games for Lethbridge. After the trade to arguably the WHL‘s top team, Skinner posted an improved 2.68 gaa and a 0.914 sv% in 25 games. He followed the season up with a 2.20 gaa and 0.932 sv% in the WHL playoffs while backstopping the Broncos to their first WHL championship in 25 years. At 6-4 and 200 pounds, the Edmonton native has the size that every team wants in a goaltender. His numbers with the Broncos are undoubtedly impressive but there is concern on whether or not he is a product of playing on such a strong team. Regardless, the Oilers have to be hoping that they can groom Skinner to be their goaltender of the future. It‘s important to note that the Oilers haven‘t developed an NHL goaltender since they drafted Devan Dubnyk 14th overall in 2004. Jameson Ewasiuk

January 2018 – After seeing his numbers decline in his draft season, Skinner fell to the third round where he was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers. This season, his fourth as the starter for the Lethbridge Hurricanes, the young goaltender has continued to see his number decline. In 31 games played for the Hurricanes, Skinner has posted the worst save percentage (0.897) and the second worst goals against average (3.38) of his WHL career. On January 9, 2018, a day before the WHL trade deadline, Skinner was traded from the Lethbridge Hurricanes to the Swift Current Broncos in a blockbuster deal. On January 12^th, Skinner made his debut for the Broncos earning a shutout in a 29 save, 4-0 victory against the Prince Albert Raiders. Skinner was named both the WHL and CHL goaltender of the week ending on January 14^th after recording a 0.50 GAA and a 0.980 sv% on his way to winning both of his games. The Broncos currently sit second in the WHL and (after making multiple trades near the deadline) look poised to make a run at the WHL championship and possibly even the Memorial Cup. Although he has struggled with consistency, his angles and glove hand are improving. His combination of size, athleticism and poise definitely makes him an intriguing prospect but like most prospects, especially goaltenders, it is hard to predict how they translate to the NHL or even the AHL level. The Oilers will bring Skinner along slowly and it should be expected that he spends multiple season in the AHL once his WHL career is finished. Jameson Ewasiuk