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	San Jose Sharks Carolina Hurricanes Buffalo Sabres Edmonton Oilers
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	7th overall, 2010 Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career	2010–present

Jeffrey Scott Skinner (born May 16, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a left winger for the San Jose Sharks in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Carolina Hurricanes picked him 7th overall in the 2010 NHL entry draft. He has also played for the Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, and Edmonton Oilers.

Skinner was the youngest player in the NHL during the 2010–11 season. He is also the youngest player ever to play in the NHL All-Star Game. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy in the 2010–11 season. This award is given to the best rookie player. He was the first Hurricanes player to win it.

He holds an NHL record for playing the most regular-season games without making the Stanley Cup playoffs. He played 1,078 games before his first playoff game on April 21, 2025.

About Jeff Skinner's Early Life

Jeff Skinner was born on May 16, 1992. His parents, Andrew Skinner and Elisabeth Campin, are both lawyers. He has five brothers and sisters. All of them have been involved with hockey. Jeff is the second youngest. His four sisters are Jennifer, Andrea, Erica, and 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 interim chair in 2020. His brother, Benjamin, played for the Kitchener Rangers and later in Germany.

Jeff Skinner's Hockey Journey

Growing up, Jeff played both ice hockey and figure skating. He even won a bronze medal in figure skating in 2004. Soon after, he decided to focus only on hockey. Skinner played minor ice hockey for teams like the Toronto Jr. Canadians. He also played for the Markham Waxers. In his younger years, he played on the wing with Gabriel Landeskog, who later became a captain for the Colorado Avalanche. He also played in the 2005 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.

Playing in Junior Hockey Leagues

Skinner as a Kitchener Ranger in September 2010

After a great season, Skinner was picked 20th overall in the 2008 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) draft. He joined the Kitchener Rangers. He played his first OHL game on September 18, 2008. He scored two goals and had an assist in that game. In November 2008, Skinner was chosen to play for Team Canada. He helped them win a gold medal at the 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He even scored the winning goal! He also won an award for his good grades in school.

In his second OHL season, Skinner was named an Assistant Captain. He scored 50 goals during the season. This was the most goals by any player eligible for the NHL draft that year. He was the first Ranger in 23 years to score 50 goals. Even though he scored so many goals, some scouting reports ranked him lower than others. But other experts, like TSN's Bob McKenzie, thought he was a much better player.

Starting His Professional NHL Career (2010–Present)

Carolina Hurricanes (2010–2018)

In 2010, the Carolina Hurricanes picked Skinner seventh overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The Hurricanes' scouting director said, "There’s nobody in the draft that scores goals like Jeff Skinner." He signed a three-year contract with the Hurricanes on September 21, 2010.

Skinner with the Hurricanes in November 2011.

Skinner played his first NHL game on October 7, 2010. The next day, he got his first NHL point with an assist. He also scored the winning goal in a shootout. This made him the third-youngest player in NHL history to score a shootout goal. On October 20, he scored his first NHL goal against the Los Angeles Kings.

During his first season, Skinner was chosen for the 2011 All-Star Game. He was the first player from his draft class to be an All-Star. He was also the first 18-year-old NHL All-Star since Steve Yzerman. He was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for January 2011. As of 2025, Skinner is still the youngest player to play in an NHL All-Star Game. On June 22, 2011, Skinner won the Calder Memorial Trophy. This award goes to the NHL's best rookie. He was the youngest player in the NHL at that time. He was also the first Hurricanes player to win the Calder.

After his great rookie year, Skinner played for Team Canada at the 2011 IIHF World Championship. He was the youngest player in that tournament. In December 2011, he missed time due to a concussion after a hit from Andy Sutton. He returned to play in January 2012.

In 2012, Skinner signed a six-year contract with the Hurricanes. This kept him with the team until the 2018–19 season. His third season was also affected by injuries. In February 2013, he had another concussion.

For the 2013–14 season, Skinner started strong. He scored his first career hat trick on December 4, 2013, against the Nashville Predators. However, he had another concussion in the 2014–15 season. This was after a hit from Matt Niskanen.

On December 11, 2015, Skinner scored his second hat trick. A few games later, on December 15, 2015, he scored another hat trick! He was named an alternate captain for the Hurricanes in the 2016–17 and 2017–18 seasons.

Buffalo Sabres (2018–2024)

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

On August 2, 2018, Skinner was traded to the Buffalo Sabres. He had played eight seasons with the Hurricanes. In November 2018, Skinner became the second player in Sabres history to score 20 goals before December. On April 6, he scored two goals in the last game of the season. This brought his total to 40 goals, a new high for him.

On June 7, 2019, Skinner signed a new eight-year contract with the Sabres. He had a tough time under the new coach, Ralph Krueger. He played less and scored fewer points for two seasons.

In the 2021–22 season, Skinner played much better. Under new coach Don Granato, he scored 33 goals and matched his career high of 63 points.

In December 2022, he was suspended for three games. This was for cross-checking Jake Guentzel of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In June 2024, the Sabres decided to end Skinner's contract early. This made him a free agent. He had played 74 games in the 2023–24 season, scoring 24 goals and 22 assists.

Edmonton Oilers (2024–2025)

After leaving the Sabres, 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. He played 72 games during the 2024–25 regular season. He scored 16 goals and had 13 assists.

Skinner made the playoffs for the first time in his career with the Oilers. This happened after playing 1,078 regular season games, which is an NHL record. In his first playoff game on April 21, 2025, he got an assist. He scored his first career playoff goal on May 29, 2025, in a game against the Dallas Stars. The Oilers reached the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, and Skinner played in Game 4 of the championship series.

San Jose Sharks (2025–)

On July 11, 2025, Skinner signed a one-year contract with the San Jose Sharks. He joined them as a free agent for the 2025–26 season.

Jeff Skinner's Personal Life

When he played for the Hurricanes, Skinner started a program called '53's Difference Makers'. This program honored local teachers at home games.

Jeff Skinner's 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