On this day in 2017, the Edmonton Oilers drafted Stuart Skinner with the 78th overall pick.
On this day in 2017, the Edmonton Oilers selected local goaltender Stuart Skinner 78th overall in the third round of the NHL Entry Draft. What seemed like a low-risk hometown pick would soon evolve into a transformational piece for their future in net.
Raised in Edmonton and born November 1, 1998, Skinner stood out early in his junior career with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL. A tall, fluid-skating netminder, he posted strong numbers: in 60 games during the 2016–17 season, Skinner recorded a 3.26 GAA and .905 SV%, bolstering his draft stock . His selection was followed by solid development—after splitting time between Lethbridge and Swift Current, he launched his pro career in 2018–19 with stints in the ECHL and AHL .
The Oilers recognized his potential early, signing him to an entry-level contract shortly after drafting him . Skinner’s pro journey included refining his game between the Bakersfield Condors (AHL) and Wichita Thunder (ECHL), where he built consistency and sharpened his technique .
His NHL opportunity came in 2021, albeit limited—a single appearance that season. But once in 2021–22, Skinner progressively took on larger roles: 13 NHL games that year, followed by 50 in 2022–23 and 59 in 2023–24. Along the way, he earned a reputation for strong regular-season play—a steady .914 SV% in 2022–23 and .905 in 2023–24 .
His breakout came in 2022–23 when he supplanted expectations, delivering a 29–14–5 record, 2.75 GAA, and a .914 SV%. That performance earned him an NHL All‑Star Game nod in 2023 , and he propelled Edmonton to the Stanley Cup Final with a 14–9 postseason mark .
In December 2022, the Oilers rewarded Skinner with a three‑year, US$7.8 million extension—a clear indicator the organization viewed him as a long-term starter . Still only 24 at the time, he had gone from a third-round pick to the face of the team’s fortunes between the pipes.
The 2023–24 season affirmed Skinner’s trajectory. He posted a career-high 36 wins in 59 games, a 2.62 GAA, and a .905 SV%, anchoring a team loaded with firepower . A midseason streak in which he surpassed Grant Fuhr’s franchise mark for consecutive wins (11 in a row) emphasized his rising stature .
Through the 2024–25 campaign, Skinner continued to carry the load. After a slow rocky start, he grew into a 26–18–4 record with a 2.81 GAA and .896 SV% across 51 games . He also notched three shutouts, including a 3–0 final-game win over San Jose that secured the Oilers’ fourth straight 100-point season .
Yet, success wasn’t linear. In the 2025 playoffs against the Kings, Skinner struggled—allowing 11 goals on 58 shots in Games 1 and 2 before coach Kris Knoblauch relented to veteran backup Calvin Pickard . When Pickard was injured, Skinner returned in Game 3 and responded with a 23-save shutout in Game 4, proving his resilience .
Through it all, Skinner has shown remarkable mental maturity. He openly acknowledges scrutinizing his stats, especially in hard times, but says he’s learning to detach and trust his process . That growth has mirrored his on-ice development—refining his play while standing firm amid pressure and criticism.
Skinner has faced vocal criticism, too. Some Edmonton fans labeled him one of the worst playoff goalies of the salary-cap era . Yet others praised his consistency and situational awareness, especially his strength in tight-zone plays and puck-handling skills . His public honesty and calm resilience have helped temper the narrative—he’s no longer the minor-league hope but firmly the Oilers’ starter.
Looking back, the Oilers’ 2017 pick now stands as a model of patient development and organizational alignment. Drafted in their backyard as a promising project, nurtured in the minors, then entrusted as a core ingredient at the NHL level, Skinner embodies Edmonton’s strategic rebuild. His career arc underscores the value of drafting smart, staying the course, and trusting homegrown talent.
Beyond stats, Skinner has proven to be a cultural asset. A hometown player, he understands the city’s weight; he embraces Edmonton’s identity, and his journey resonates with fans. His teammates and coaches respect his calm demeanor under fire, his work ethic, and his voice in the locker room.
As he heads into what could be the prime of his career, Skinner remains under contract through the 2025–26 season at a $2.6 million cap hit . The next years will test if he can elevate his playoff game consistently, but the foundation has been laid: skill, poise, growth.
So on this day, as we reflect on Edmonton’s third‑round pick from 2017, it’s clear that Stuart Skinner has become far more than a draft-year throw-in. He’s evolved into a franchise keystone in net—a testament to development patience, local pride, and personal maturation. Whether he backstops the Oilers to a Stanley Cup remains to be seen, but the journey from 78th overall to Ottawa’s rival, starter for a perennial contender, and hometown hero is already a story worth celebrating on its own.
