Brett Skinner, an All-America defenseman for the University of Denver’s national champion hockey team, is giving up his senior year to sign a contract with the Vancouver Canucks.
Selected by the Canucks in the third round of the 2002 NHL draft, Skinner would have been DU’s captain this season as the team attempts to win a third consecutive NCAA national championship.
“It was the toughest decision of my life,” said Skinner, who declined to reveal the signing bonus and salary of the two-year contract. “I’m leaving the captain behind, a great program, and the comfort of being at a place like Denver. But obviously my goal is to play in the NHL, and I think everybody understands that this is the best move to get me there.”
He becomes the 13th known U.S. college player to leave school early to sign with an NHL team, and third from Colorado. Colorado College defensemen Mark Stuart and Brady Greco recently signed with Boston and Tampa Bay, respectively.
Skinner, from Brandon, Manitoba, finished with 15 goals and 87 points in 124 games at DU. The 22-year-old produced a team-high 36 assists last season and finished fifth on the team with 40 points, the third-highest total among defensemen in the country.
He was named to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association first team and later earned all-Frozen Four and second-team All-America honors. His five assists in two Frozen Four games tied teammate Gabe Gauthier for the tournament’s top point producer.
The Canucks invited Skinner to preseason camp next month, but he said he likely will play this season for the Manitoba Moose, Vancouver’s American Hockey League affiliate.
“They expect me to play in the ‘A’ this year, and that factored in because they said I would get some quality ice time there,” Skinner said. “They said this would be the best thing for my development at this time.”
DU coach George Gwozdecky said Tuesday he had mixed feelings about Skinner leaving.
“On one (hand) we’re happy he’s reached a level that he’s dreamed about, but on the other hand we’re disappointed he’s not going to be with us his senior season,” Gwozdecky said. “He’s developed into a terrific leader, a terrific man, and a fine alumni of this program.”
The loss of Skinner leaves the Pioneers with just two returning defensemen from the six-man unit they used for most of last season, and this season’s regular corps likely will feature four freshmen.
Junior Matt Carle, a 2005 All-American, is pegged to anchor the blue line along with hard-hitting sophomore Andrew Thomas. Freshmen Chris Butler and T.J. Fast, both recent NHL draft picks, are expected to contribute right away, along with classmates Julian Marcuzzi and J.P Testwuide.
Juniors Zach Blom and Jon James, neither of whom has played regularly at DU, also are in the mix.
Staff writer Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
