Brady Skjei Bio
Brady Michael Skjei (pronounced SHAY) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on March 26, 1994, in Lakeville, Minnesota, Skjei has built his career as a steady two-way blueliner since entering the league in 2015. He was selected by the New York Rangers in the first round, 28th overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft after a decorated amateur path that included time with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and the University of Minnesota.
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing roughly 209 pounds, Skjei has represented the United States in multiple international tournaments, including the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he helped Team USA capture gold. Off the ice, he lives with his wife, Gracia Bonesho, whom he married in August 2021.
Early Life and Background
Brady Michael Skjei was born and raised in Lakeville, Minnesota, a suburban community south of the Twin Cities known for producing hockey talent. He grew up in a family of Norwegian descent, a heritage reflected in his distinctive surname, which became a lighthearted talking point later in his career. His grandfather had played football at the University of Minnesota, giving the family a clear athletic lineage that extended beyond hockey.
As a youth, Skjei was a multi-sport athlete at Lakeville North High School. In addition to playing hockey for the Lakeville North Panthers, he quarterbacked the varsity football team and was a member of the golf team. In his first high school hockey season he earned Rookie of the Year honors, and in his second campaign he was recognized as the team’s Most Valuable Player, signaling his rapid development on the blue line.
For his final two years of high school, Skjei joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Michigan, splitting time between the Under-17 and Under-18 squads. That experience exposed him to a national pool of elite talent and prepared him for the next step in his career.
Path to Hockey
Skjei’s path to the NHL began in earnest with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, where he refined his game against top competition. His international résumé started early; at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, he recorded one goal and three assists in six games and helped the United States finish second.
In 2012, Skjei represented the U.S. at several tournaments, including the IIHF World U18 Championships, where he won a gold medal. Although he attended the American evaluation camp for the 2013 World Junior Championship and was not selected for the final roster, he returned to the U.S. fold for the 2014 World Junior Tournament. That same year, the New York Rangers made him a first-round pick, 28th overall, in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
Skjei then spent a freshman season at the University of Minnesota, appearing in 36 games and posting one goal and two assists. His combination of size, skating, and defensive responsibility convinced the Rangers that he was ready to turn professional.
Brady Skjei Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Skjei signed his first professional contract with the New York Rangers on April 1, 2015, and was immediately assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout. He scored his first professional goal in a Calder Cup playoff game against the Providence Bruins on April 26, 2015, giving an early glimpse of his offensive upside from the back end.
After posting two goals and nine assists in 27 games for Hartford to begin the 2015–16 season, Skjei was promoted to the Rangers on December 15, 2015. He logged seven regular-season games without a point, but contributed two assists in the playoffs as New York was eliminated in the first round by the Pittsburgh Penguins. On December 11, 2016, he netted his first NHL goal against the New Jersey Devils, and on April 16, 2017, he scored his first playoff goal against the Montreal Canadiens.
New York Rangers Tenure (2015–2020)
Skjei’s most memorable early moment with the Rangers came on April 29, 2017, when he recorded his first multi-goal game against the Ottawa Senators during the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs. His performance that spring earned him a place on the NHL’s 2017 All-Rookie Team, formal recognition of his emergence as a reliable NHL defenseman.
The 2017–18 season was more turbulent for both Skjei and the Rangers. With the club announcing a rebuild in February, his point total dipped to 25, but his ice time grew significantly after captain Ryan McDonagh was traded. On July 28, 2018, the Rangers rewarded his development with a six-year contract extension, signaling their long-term belief in his two-way game.
Carolina Hurricanes Era (2020–2024)
On February 24, 2020, Skjei was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a 2020 first-round pick. The change of scenery rejuvenated his career, as he slotted into a top-pairing role and flourished under Carolina’s structured, defense-first system. Over five seasons with the Hurricanes, he established himself as a steady, two-way defenseman capable of matching up against opponents’ top forwards while contributing offensively.
His reliability in Carolina made him one of the more attractive free-agent defensemen on the market in 2024, setting the stage for another major career move.
Nashville Predators Era (2024–Present)
On July 1, 2024, Skjei signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Nashville Predators, leaving Carolina as a free agent. The deal reflected his value as a top-pairing defenseman and gave Nashville a veteran anchor on the back end for the long term.
Skjei quickly integrated into the Predators’ lineup and carried his strong form into the 2024–25 campaign. He also represented the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, recording one goal and two assists in ten games while helping Team USA win its first gold medal at the event since 1933.
Driving Style and Strengths
Skjei is best known for his size, mobility, and defensive reliability. He uses his 6-foot-3 frame to win battles along the boards and in front of the net, while his skating allows him to transition the puck quickly through the neutral zone. Coaches have leaned on him in shutdown matchups, and his calm decision-making has made him a trusted partner in all situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Skjei’s career include his first NHL goal against the New Jersey Devils in 2016, his selection to the 2017 NHL All-Rookie Team, and his first multi-goal playoff game against Ottawa in 2017. His most recent milestone came in 2025, when he helped the United States capture gold at the IIHF World Championship, the country’s first title at the tournament in 92 years.
Brady Skjei Career Wins
Brady Michael Skjei has accumulated a collection of individual and team accolades across his professional career. His honors include an NHL All-Rookie Team selection in 2017, gold at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships, and a gold medal with the United States at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
National Hockey League Highlights
Over parts of ten NHL seasons with the Rangers, Hurricanes, and Predators, Skjei has been a steady top-four defenseman. His most memorable playoff performances came during the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, when he scored his first playoff goal and later recorded his first multi-goal game against Ottawa.
Since joining the Nashville Predators in 2024, Skjei has continued to log heavy minutes in all situations, reinforcing his reputation as one of the league’s dependable two-way defensemen.
Other Wins & Performances
At the junior level, Skjei won gold with the United States at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships. He later added a second gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where his one goal and two assists in ten games helped Team USA end a 92-year drought at the tournament.
Brady Skjei Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brady Michael Skjei is of Norwegian descent, a heritage reflected in his family name. His grandfather played football at the University of Minnesota, establishing an athletic tradition that influenced Brady’s multi-sport upbringing in Lakeville.
Personal Life
Skjei married his longtime girlfriend, Gracia Bonesho, in early August 2021. The couple has been based in the communities where Skjei has played, including New York, Raleigh, and now Nashville.
2025 Season Performance
Brady Michael Skjei entered the 2024–25 NHL season firmly entrenched as a top-pairing defenseman for the Nashville Predators, the team he joined on a seven-year, $49 million deal in July 2024. The contract signaled Nashville’s commitment to building a more competitive blue line, and Skjei was expected to anchor the team’s defensive corps alongside established partners.
Through the campaign, Skjei delivered the kind of reliable two-way play that has defined his career, logging significant ice time in all situations while contributing offensively from the back end. His consistency helped stabilize the Predators’ defensive structure during a transitional period for the franchise.
In May 2025, Skjei joined the United States for the IIHF World Championship in Sweden and Denmark. He recorded one goal and two assists in ten games as Team USA captured gold, the country’s first world championship since 1933. Looking ahead, Skjei is expected to remain a central figure in Nashville’s plans and on the U.S. international roster for years to come.