Skinner selected in 1st round
Posted Jun 28, 2010 04:26:32 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Jeff Skinner has become the highest Kitchener Ranger to be drafted into the NHL in 14 years. When Skinner’s name was called by the Carolina Hurricanes with the 7th pick on Friday night, he came just shy of Boyd Devereaux, who was drafted 6th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 1996. Skinner also became the first Ranger in 23 years to notch a 50-goal season this year. Ron Goodall was the last player to do that, scoring 52 in 1986.
Skinner tells 570 News he was overwhelmed with excitement when he heard his name called Friday night. He had met with several teams but admits to feeling as though the interview with Carolina went very well. Skinner says he was also thrilled to be able to share the moment with his family, which he says is the “reason he is where he is today.”
Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford says Skinner will be given every opportunity to earn a spot with the pro club and even Skinner is unsure of where he’ll be playing next year. Regardless, he says he has two great organizations to choose from. Skinner credits Kitchener’s coaching staff with helping him develop his talent and says the community has really embraced him over the past two years.
The Rangers have watched more than two dozen players drafted in the first round of the NHL entry draft, beginning with Bill Barber back in 1972. Barber went 7th to the Philadelphia Flyers. Of the 29 first-round-Rangers, 11 — including Skinner — have gone in the Top 10. That includes the highest Ranger pick ever, Brian Bellows, who went second overall to Minnesota in 1982. Three Rangers would go in the first round that year, which was also the year of Kitchener first Memorial Cup championship.
Next up for Skinner is a conditioning camp in Carolina, which starts July 7th.
