WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Jets will have a new face in the crease next season as they signed Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract with an AAV of 3.75 million on Wednesday.
Skinner’s agent is Ray Petkau, who also represents Connor Hellebuyck, Eric Comrie and Laurent Brossoit.
“I think just conversations with me and my agent, talking about being able to go into an organization like that, how they treat their players, and all that really fits into what I was looking for,” said Skinner via Zoom.
“I know some of the guys on the team already living out in Calgary now, so it'll be easy for me to get on ice and get some good summer training in with those guys and really develop a great relationship with those guys.”
The opportunity to join one of the NHL's most defensively sound teams was another appealing aspect for Skinner. Winnipeg allowed the fewest goals in the league in consecutive seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25), earning the William M. Jennings Trophy both years, and is determined to return to that standard this season.
“I honestly wasn't thinking too much about that. I think the conversations were more based on the type of place I'm going into being able to be a Winnipeg Jet. So that was the main basis of it,” said Skinner.
“Obviously, the Jennings that you bring up excites me as well. Hopefully, we can continue to do that. I'm certainly going to do my best. I think it's a really exciting moment for me, obviously, to get this deal done and to be a Jet.”
Skinner is no stranger to playing in a Canadian market having been in Edmonton, his hometown team for the majority of his career. The 27-year-old helped the Oilers get to the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025.
“So, playing in a Canadian market I know that being in a Canadian market, we want a Canadian team to win the Cup. Not only that, but that was another reason of my choice for Winnipeg,” said Skinner.
“The type of team that’s been built up, we got a good chance. That makes it very, very exciting for me. So, I understand the pressure going into a Canadian market.”
Another factor that appealed to Skinner was the opportunity to work with Jets goaltending coach Wade Flaherty, whose reputation for developing and supporting goaltenders is well known around the league.
“I feel like it's always a very, very positive insight from the goalies that I've talked to. I know Coms a little bit. I know Helle, just very minimal. I know LB (Laurent Brossoit), very minimally as well,” said Skinner.
“So just talking to those guys and being part of the goalie world in the NHL, I've only heard amazing things about Wade, how he works with goalies and the type of culture that Wade really brings into the tandem there. So, for me, that's just the part that really excites me. I’m really excited to get to work with him and really looking forward to it.”
