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Stuart Skinner: “I’m an NHL Star Who Could’ve Made It on Wall Street”
EDMONTON, Alberta — He’s the brick wall behind the Edmonton Oilers’ defense. The man in the crease during game-sealing saves. And now, fans are discovering that Stuart Skinner, one of the NHL’s most exciting young goaltenders, might have been just as successful if he had suited up in a suit and tie — not goalie pads.
> “I’ve made about $11.6 million in the NHL so far,” Skinner said in a recent interview, referencing his current career earnings. “But honestly, if I weren’t a goalie, I’d probably be analyzing charts or managing portfolios. I’ve always had an eye for money.”
That’s not just talk. Behind the scenes, Skinner has quietly built a reputation as the Oilers’ “finance guy.” While most players decompress after practices with video games or Netflix, Skinner is often reviewing market trends, reading investment books, and watching earnings reports. His teammates joke that he might know more about the S&P 500 than some fund managers do.
> “He’s always got CNBC playing in the background,” said one anonymous player. “He’ll be stretching, and suddenly he’s giving us a breakdown of Canadian housing trends or which tech companies are oversold.”
Skinner first found himself drawn to the financial world during the COVID-19 pandemic, when hockey paused, and time slowed down. Like millions of others, he downloaded investing apps and began to study the market. But unlike most, he didn’t stop when things got complicated. Instead, he went deeper — reading about Warren Buffett, studying compound interest, and enrolling in online courses about personal finance and economic theory.
Now, at just 26 years old, Skinner manages a personal portfolio that includes:
Blue-chip dividend stocks
Sustainable energy companies
Canadian and U.S. real estate
Index funds and long-term retirement planning
A stake in a local Edmonton tech start-up
But he’s not doing it to show off. In fact, Skinner has rejected endorsement deals from investing platforms and crypto startups, choosing instead to keep his strategies personal and ethical.
> “I don’t want to use my platform to pump anything,” he said. “That’s not who I am. I want my money to grow quietly, just like my game.”
On the ice, Skinner continues to evolve as a key part of the Oilers’ future. His calm demeanor, lightning reflexes, and leadership from the back end of the rink have drawn praise from coaches, analysts, and fans alike. But it’s his off-ice maturity that really sets him apart.
Skinner has reportedly mentored several younger players on the Oilers roster about financial literacy, teaching them to avoid common pitfalls many athletes fall into: reckless spending, short-term investments, and trusting the wrong people. Instead, Skinner preaches consistency, diversification, and thinking long-term — the same principles he uses in net.
> “Goaltending and investing aren’t all that different,” Skinner said with a grin. “You can’t panic. You have to read the play, make informed decisions, and stay calm when everyone else is losing their heads.”
Beyond hockey and finance, Skinner also launched the “Still Standing Fund”, a philanthropic initiative aimed at supporting children and families impacted by natural disasters — including a scholarship fund for orphans of the recent Texas floods.
So, what’s next for Stuart Skinner?
> “Hopefully, a Stanley Cup,” he said. “But even if that doesn’t come right away, I’m building something that lasts. I love this game — but I also love knowing that when it ends, I’m already prepared for whatever comes next.”
In a world full of highlight reels and flashy contracts, Stuart Skinner is writing a different kind of story — one that’s grounded in smart choices, quiet confidence, and a future that’s just as bright off the ice as it is on it.