May 3, 2023 by Eric Friesen

Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner was named a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year on Wednesday. Skinner is the first Oiler to be named a finalist for the Calder Trophy since Connor McDavid was the second runner-up in 2015-16.

The 24-year-old posted a 29-14-5 record, with a 2.75 goals against average, a .914 save percentage and one shutout in 50 games in 2022-23. He came into the season as the backup netminder with the Oilers, but he grabbed the starter’s job from Jack Campbell before the end of October and held the position most of the campaign.

Skinner reparented the Oilers in the 2023 NHL All-Star Game in Sunrise, Florida in January. The Edmonton product was the first Oilers’ goalie to play in the NHL All-Star Game since Tommy Salo in 2002 and the first rookie goalie since Grant Fuhr in 1982.

Skinner, who won his first NHL playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, has an outstanding 13-0-3 record in his last 17 appearances, including playoffs, while turning aside 443 of 476 shots he’s faced during that stretch He also broke Fuhr’s franchise record for wins by a rookie goalie with 29 in a 6-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on April 13.

No player in Oilers history has ever won the Calder Trophy. However, given his importance to the team this season and the fact that he’s the starting goalie for a Stanley Cup contender, Skinner has a real shot to take home the hardware.

The 2023 NHL Awards will be held in Nashville on June 26.