Courtesy: Matt Hiscox
Hunter Skinner has been a welcome addition to the London Knights blue line. In his OHL debut, he scored two goals. A quarter of the way through his first OHL season, Skinner is tied for 12th in the league in scoring amongst defenceman. Skinner has the tools to be what every NHL team wants in a defenceman.
Skinner was born in Pinckney, Michigan. He was first exposed to hockey when he moved to Wyandotte, Michigan – a suburb of Detroit. Skinner was initially a forward when he first started playing. When he made the transition to defence – albeit just a couple of years ago – his development began to take off.
Skinner was selected with the 97th overall pick in the 2017 OHL draft by the London Knights. It allowed Skinner to evaluate his next course of action.
“I was just weighing my options. Either college or here,” said Skinner. “I mean, you guys had Evan Bouchard and Boqvist here – Regula, of course. So, I just took my options as it is.”
Wanting to eventually appear in green and gold, Skinner made the decision to join the USHL. He went across the state to the Muskegon Lumberjacks midway through the 2017-18 season. Skinner did not register a single point in 31 games played with the Lumberjacks that season.
Courtesy: Matt Hiscox
Midway through the 2018-19 season, Skinner transferred from Muskegon to Lincoln, Nebraska to play with the Stars. As a teenager, he was already 10 hours away from home. His production in the USHL did not drop though. In the 2018-19 season split between Muskegon and Lincoln, Skinner amassed five goals and 17 assists in 52 games on the blue line.
Skinner’s work in the USHL did not go unnoticed. He was selected by the New York Rangers in the fourth round, 114th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
“My heart dropped. One hundred percent,” explains Skinner on the moment his name was called. “It’s always a dream as a young kid when you grow up and start playing hockey and you start seeing these guys getting drafted and going to the NHL. You’re watching guys like Connor McDavid excel and it’s just a dream come true to even be selected.”
With his name now in consideration to take the next step, the Knights brought Skinner in for his 18-year-old season. Skinner has shown true promise as a two-way defender. Probably due to who he has watched growing up.
“Klingberg, Keith – all your top guys – Karlsson, Brent Burns. I just try to style my game after them,” said Skinner on his favourite NHL players.
Courtesy: Matt Hiscox
Skinner is a force on the Knights’ blue line. At 6’2, 187 pounds, he is a hassle to deal with in the corners and in front of the net. While the offence was never his strong suit on previous teams, Skinner is averaging just under a point-per-game in the OHL (0.89). His danger is represented in his shot. Not only does it come off his stick with velocity, but he’s also able to get it on the net. In his 18 games played this season, Skinner has recorded 43 shots on goal – just under three per game.
“That’s just practicing. Just shooting through targets, picking sides, shooting for tips and all that stuff,” explains Skinner on his impressive shot. “[I’m] just trying to get the best I can with my shot.”
While the offence is nice, Skinner knows that he has to be responsible on both sides of the puck in order to take the next step. “Of course, just defence. If you don’t know how to play D then you’re not going to play at the next level. That’s what I’ve always been taught – the offence will come as it is.”
That philosophy is shared by the Knights coaching staff. London has three of its defencemen among the top 20 scoring blueliners in the OHL. “We always just try to make sure they’re not leading the rush. A great offensive defenceman is usually one that moves the puck up, follows up later and is always the shooter coming in late in the zone,” explains Knights Assistant Coach, Rick Steadman.
No matter how far away from home he is, or where his career will take him, Skinner will always be playing with a greater purpose. “{My grandma] passed away a few years ago of cancer. She’s always been my idol. Ever since she passed away, I’ve been playing for her, playing for myself and playing for my family,” Skinner says on what motivates him.
Hunter Skinner has made the necessary steps and sacrifices to pursue his NHL dream. He has improved every year he has played the game and continues to get better for the Knights. A big defenceman who can skate and score is every NHL coach’s dream. While there will still be much more room to grow and improve, Hunter Skinner is a name that should be remembered in a couple of years’ time.
