All-Star Stuart Skinner has message for Oilers fans

For the first time since 2002, there will be an Edmonton Oilers goaltender as a team representative at the NHL All-Star game. 

Stuart Skinner has become the first Oilers goalie since Tommy Salo 21 years prior to be invited to the annual event after having been voted in by the fans. Additionally, he's only the third goalie in team history to appear in the event, the first being Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr in 1982.

And needless to say, he's grateful for the fans who cast their vote for him.

“I was pretty shocked, didn’t really expect that honour. It’s pretty cool that the fans voted me in. It’s a pretty surreal moment for me, and obviously my whole family is super excited about it,” he said Friday after being informed of the honor by head coach Jay Woodcroft. 

Skinner has emerged as Edmonton's starting goaltender thanks to the struggles of Jack Campbell, who was lured to the Oilers this past summer from the Toronto Maple Leafs with a five year, $25 million contract. 

It's the latest feather in the cap for Skinner, who became a father for the first time earlier this year after his wife Chloe gave birth to their son Beau.

“She’s a great mom and she takes really good care of him, obviously. It’ll be nice for her to just have some mom time with him, and then when I come back, I’ll have my dad time," he explained.

Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, who is also headed to the All-Star Game, was full of praise for Skinner.

“Very proud of him," he said. "Stuey put in a lot of work over the last couple of years. He deserves to be there. Obviously a very special week for him, everything together. I think we’re all extremely happy for him.”

Skinner has posted a 12-10-2 record this season so far with 2.96 goals against average and .914 save percentage.