Stuart Skinner Bio
Stuart Daniel Skinner is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 193 centimeters tall and weighing 98 kilograms, Skinner plays the goaltender position and is recognized for combining size with technical poise in net. He was selected in the third round, 78th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and spent parts of five seasons with the organization before being traded to Pittsburgh in December 2025.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, on November 1, 1998, Skinner grew up in the city he would later represent at the highest level. He has earned a reputation as a dependable starter capable of stringing together quality performances for his team.
Early Life and Background
Stuart Daniel Skinner was born on November 1, 1998, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He was raised in Edmonton and developed his early game in the city’s minor hockey system, playing at the South Side Athletic Club (SSAC). The SSAC Lions compete in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League, and Skinner played there alongside future Edmonton Oilers teammates Tyler Benson and James Hamblin during overlapping seasons.
Skinner is the youngest of nine siblings, and every member of the family has a first name that begins with the letter “S.” The large, supportive household helped shape his grounded personality, a trait teammates have noted since he entered professional hockey. His upbringing in Edmonton’s tight-knit hockey community gave him early exposure to high-level competition and instruction.
Path to Hockey
Skinner moved on to major junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL), suiting up for both the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the Swift Current Broncos. During his time in Lethbridge, he produced one of the more unusual moments in recent WHL history. On March 18, 2016, Skinner scored an empty-net goal against the Medicine Hat Tigers, becoming the only goaltender in Lethbridge franchise history and just the seventh in WHL history to find the back of the net.
That combination of athleticism and composure foreshadowed his professional profile. His steady play in the WHL earned the attention of NHL scouts, and the Edmonton Oilers selected him 78th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, setting the stage for his transition to professional hockey.
Stuart Skinner Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
After being drafted, Skinner signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers on May 14, 2018. He split the early portion of his professional career between the Edmonton organization and its American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, refining his craft as a starting goaltender. During the 2020–21 season, which was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Skinner earned his NHL opportunity when injuries opened a spot on the roster.
He made his NHL debut on January 31, 2021, against the Ottawa Senators, picking up his first career win in an 8–5 victory. Skinner then returned to Bakersfield, where he led all AHL goaltenders with 20 wins and helped the Condors capture the Pacific Division Championship, signaling his readiness for full-time NHL duty.
Edmonton Oilers Breakthrough (2021–2025)
Skinner split the 2021–22 season between the AHL and NHL, and on February 14, 2022, he recorded his first NHL shutout, stopping all 20 shots he faced in a 3–0 win over the San Jose Sharks. The following season, after the departure of Mikko Koskinen and an injury to Mike Smith, Skinner initially appeared destined for a backup role behind newly signed goaltender Jack Campbell. His strong play combined with Campbell’s struggles allowed Skinner to claim the starter’s job.
He appeared in 50 games during the 2022–23 regular season, posting a 29–14–5 record with a .914 save percentage, and was voted a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year. On January 19, 2023, the NHL announced Skinner as one of three Pacific Division representatives for the 2023 NHL All-Star Game, joining teammate Leon Draisaitl. On January 23, 2024, he set a franchise record by winning his 11th consecutive game, surpassing the mark of 10 previously held by Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr.
Pittsburgh Penguins Era (2025–Present)
Following a difficult start to the Oilers’ season, Skinner was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 12, 2025. He was dealt along with defenceman Brett Kulak and a 2029 second-round pick in exchange for goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Samuel Poulin. At the time of the trade, Skinner owned an 11–8–4 record through 23 games, along with two shutouts, a 2.83 goals-against average, and an .891 save percentage.
Skinner played his first game for Pittsburgh on December 16 against his former Edmonton Oilers teammates. The Penguins dropped the contest 6–4, with Skinner stopping 17 shots in his debut. He joined Pittsburgh with the opportunity to reset his season in a new environment.
Driving Style and Strengths
Skinner is widely regarded as a technically sound, positionally disciplined goaltender whose 193-centimeter frame helps him cover the upper portion of the net. He is comfortable playing high-volume games and has shown the ability to carry a heavy workload, particularly during his record-setting 11-game winning streak with Edmonton. His calm demeanor and quick lateral movement allow him to recover on second-chance opportunities and absorb forechecking pressure from sustained offensive-zone time.
Notable Events and Milestones
Skinner’s most memorable milestones include his 2016 empty-net goal in the WHL, his first NHL shutout against the San Jose Sharks in 2022, his Calder Memorial Trophy finalist appearance in 2023, and his franchise-record 11 consecutive wins with the Oilers in January 2024. His selection to the 2023 NHL All-Star Game further underscored his emergence as one of Edmonton’s most important players during his tenure with the club.
Stuart Skinner Career Wins
Stuart Skinner has accumulated meaningful victories at every level of his career, beginning with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL and continuing through the AHL and NHL. His NHL resume includes 50 appearances during the 2022–23 season alone, a year in which he posted 29 wins.
NHL Highlights
Skinner has produced several signature NHL wins since debuting in 2021. His first career victory came in an 8–5 win over the Ottawa Senators, while his first shutout was a 20-save performance against the San Jose Sharks. The 2023–24 campaign featured his record-setting 11th consecutive win, surpassing the previous Edmonton franchise mark of 10 held by Grant Fuhr. He was also named a 2023 NHL All-Star and a Calder Memorial Trophy finalist that same season.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his NHL accomplishments, Skinner led all AHL goaltenders with 20 wins during the 2020–21 season, helping the Bakersfield Condors secure the Pacific Division Championship. In junior hockey, he remains a notable figure in Lethbridge Hurricanes history thanks to his rare goaltender goal in 2016.
Stuart Skinner Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Stuart Daniel Skinner was raised in a large Edmonton family as the youngest of nine siblings. Every member of the family shares a first name beginning with the letter “S,” a tradition that has become a well-known detail of his personal story.
Personal Life
Skinner met his wife, Chloe, after a WHL game he played in Lethbridge, and the couple married in June 2020. Their first son, Beau, was born in 2023, and their second son, Darcy, was born in 2025. The family has been a steady presence throughout his professional career, including his transition from Edmonton to Pittsburgh.
2025 Season Performance
Stuart Skinner’s 2025 season is defined by a mid-season change of scenery. He opened the campaign with the Edmonton Oilers and went 11–8–4 through 23 appearances, recording two shutouts with a 2.83 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage. His individual numbers were solid, but Edmonton’s broader struggles led the organization to reassess its goaltending group in December 2025.
The trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins gave Skinner a fresh start and an opportunity to anchor a new crease. His Penguins debut came on December 16 against the very team that drafted him, ending in a 6–4 loss despite his 17 saves. Pittsburgh’s goaltending picture for the remainder of the 2025–26 season now centers on how quickly Skinner settles into a new defensive system.
Looking ahead, Skinner enters the second half of 2025–26 with a chance to re-establish his form as a frontline NHL starter. His track record of consecutive wins, an All-Star selection, and a Calder Trophy finalist campaign all suggest he has the tools to rebound quickly. Pittsburgh’s playoff outlook will hinge in part on whether Skinner can recapture the consistency that defined his best stretches in Edmonton.