(June 29, 2010) – On Friday night the Carolina Hurricanes drafted Jeffrey Skinner, 18 of Markham, Ontario in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles. Skinner was drafted seventh overall and was a leading goal scorer on the Kitchener Rangers this past season.

Skinner’s skating career began on both hockey skates and figure skates.  By the time he was twelve years old, he was a national level figure skater and in 2004 he won bronze at the 2004 BMO Skate Canada Junior Nationals in juvenile men’s. At that same event future Olympian Patrick Chan won gold in novice men’s.

In 2004 Skinner was named the Central Ontario Section’s Competitive Athlete of the Year. In 2005 he competed at the 2005 BMO Skate Canada Eastern Challenge in pre-novice men’s where he placed 10th, his last national figure skating competition before turning his focus solely on hockey.

Skinner lists his figure skating accomplishments on his NHL Draft Prospect Card. Skate Canada wishes him the best of luck at the Carolina Hurricanes conditioning camp this summer, which starts July 7th, 2010.

Skinner performs his free skate at the 2004 BMO Skate Canada Junior Nationals in Ottawa, Ontario.

Smiling after being award his bronze medal in juvenile men’s in 2004.