Jeff Skinner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jeff Skinner
Skinner with the Carolina Hurricanes in April 2013
Born	(1992-05-16) May 16, 1992 (age 33) Markham, Ontario, Canada
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Edmonton Oilers Carolina Hurricanes Buffalo Sabres
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	7th overall, 2010 Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career	2010–present

Jeffrey Scott Skinner (born in Markham, Ontario, on May 16, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a left winger for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Before joining the Oilers, he played for the Carolina Hurricanes and the Buffalo Sabres.

Jeff Skinner was picked seventh overall by the Hurricanes in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He was the youngest player in the NHL during the 2010 season. He is also the youngest player ever to play in the NHL All-Star Game. In the 2010–11 season, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the best rookie. He was the first Hurricanes player to win this award.

As of the end of the 2023 season, Jeff Skinner has played over 1,000 games without making the Stanley Cup playoffs. This is an NHL record.

Early Life and Figure Skating

Jeff Skinner was born to Andrew Skinner and Elisabeth Campin. Both of his parents are lawyers. He has five brothers and sisters, and all of them have been involved in hockey. Jeff is the second youngest of the siblings. His older sisters are Jennifer, Andrea, and Erica. His youngest sister is Jillian. His sister Andrea used to be the captain of the Cornell University women's hockey team. She also became the first woman to lead Hockey Canada as its interim chair. Jeff's brother, Benjamin, played hockey for the Kitchener Rangers and later in Germany.

Growing up, Jeff was involved in both ice hockey and figure skating. He even won a bronze medal in figure skating at the 2004 Canadian Junior National Championships. Soon after, he decided to focus only on hockey. He played minor ice hockey for teams like the Toronto Jr. Canadians and the Markham Waxers. In his younger years, he played on the wing with Gabriel Landeskog, who later became a captain in the NHL.

Junior Hockey Career

Skinner as a Kitchener Ranger in September 2010

After a great season with the Toronto Young Nationals, Jeff was drafted by the Kitchener Rangers in the 2008 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft. He was the 20th player picked overall. He played his first OHL game on September 18, 2008. In that game, he scored two goals and had one assist, helping his team win 4–2.

In November 2008, Jeff was chosen to play for Team Canada at the 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He helped his team win a gold medal by scoring the game-winning goal. A few days later, he also won an award for his good grades while attending Eastwood Collegiate Institute.

After leading the Rangers in scoring during his first season, Jeff played in the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He scored 6 goals and helped Team Canada win another gold medal. When he returned to the OHL for his second season, he was named an Assistant Captain. In the 2009–10 season, Jeff scored 50 goals. He was the first player for the Kitchener Rangers in 23 years to reach this amazing milestone.

Professional Hockey Career

Carolina Hurricanes (2010–2018)

In 2010, Jeff Skinner was eligible for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The Carolina Hurricanes picked him in the first round, as the seventh overall pick. The Hurricanes' scouting director said, "There’s nobody in the draft that scores goals like Jeff Skinner." On September 21, 2010, he signed his first NHL contract with the Hurricanes.

On October 7, Jeff made his NHL debut in a game against the Minnesota Wild in Finland. The next day, he got his first NHL point by assisting on a goal. He also scored the winning goal in a shootout. On October 20, Jeff scored his first NHL goal against the Los Angeles Kings.

Skinner with the Hurricanes in November 2011.

During his first season, Jeff was chosen to play in the 2011 All-Star Game. He replaced Sidney Crosby, who was injured. This made Jeff the first player from the 2010 draft class to be an All-Star. He was also the first 18-year-old NHL All-Star since Steve Yzerman. As of 2024, Jeff Skinner is still the youngest player to ever play in an NHL All-Star Game.

On June 22, 2011, Jeff won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie. He was the youngest player in the NHL at that time and the first Hurricanes player to win the Calder Trophy. After his great rookie season, Jeff played for Team Canada at the 2011 IIHF World Championship. He was the youngest player in that tournament.

Jeff started his second season well, but it was cut short by a concussion he got in a game on December 7, 2011. He missed 16 games but returned to play in January 2012.

In 2012, Jeff signed a six-year contract extension with the Hurricanes. His third season was also affected by injuries. In February 2013, he suffered another concussion.

For the 2013–14 season, Jeff started strong, scoring nine points in nine games. On December 4, 2013, he scored his first career hat trick (three goals in one game) against the Nashville Predators. However, in the 2014–15 season, he got another concussion and had a tougher year.

On December 11, 2015, Jeff scored his second hat trick against the Anaheim Ducks. Just three games later, on December 15, 2015, he scored another hat trick against the Philadelphia Flyers. Jeff was named an alternate captain for the Hurricanes for the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons.

Buffalo Sabres (2018–2024)

Skinner (middle) against the Seattle Kraken in October 2022.

On August 2, 2018, after eight seasons with the Hurricanes, Jeff was traded to the Buffalo Sabres. He became the second player in Sabres' history to score 20 goals before December in 2018. On April 6, he scored two goals in the last game of the season, reaching 40 goals for the first time in his career.

On June 7, 2019, Jeff signed a big eight-year contract with the Sabres. However, he had a tough time in the next two seasons, scoring fewer goals. In the 2021–22 season, Jeff had a great comeback. He scored 33 goals and matched his career-high of 63 points. In December 2022, he received a three-game suspension for cross-checking another player.

In June 2024, the Sabres announced that they would buy out the rest of Jeff's contract. This made him a free agent, meaning he could sign with any team.

Edmonton Oilers (2024–present)

After becoming a free agent, Jeff Skinner signed a one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, 2024. He scored his first goal as an Oiler on October 13, 2024.

Personal Life

While playing for the Hurricanes, Jeff Skinner started a program called '53's Difference Makers'. This program recognized local teachers at home games.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International Play

Skinner at the 2012 World Championships
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Silver	2017 Germany/France

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2009	Canada Ontario	U17			6	2	4	6	4
2009	Canada	IH18			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			10	4	5	9	27
Junior totals					10	8	4	12	20
Senior totals					33	12	12	24	41