Stuart Skinner, the Edmonton Oilers’ celebrated goaltender, is basking in the joy of fatherhood as he and his wife, Chloe, recently welcomed their second son, Darcy Daniel Skinner, born on January 27, 2025. Skinner announced, "Baby came out beautiful and my wife, Chloe, is doing great. His name is Darcy Daniel Skinner. A really good name for him, fits his face, fits his energy, we love it.” This joyful start to the family's new chapter follows the birth of their first child, Beau, just last January.
The couple, who tied the knot in June 2020, shared their excitement on social media, where Chloe posted, "Darcy Daniel Skinner born January 27th our boys," alongside adorable photos of the new sibling bond forming between Beau and Darcy. The heartfelt announcement quickly garnered responses of congratulations from Oilers fans, players, and their partners, highlighting the shared community spirit surrounding the team. From between the posts of goalie equipment to the joys of parenthood, Skinner certainly finds his life full of responsibilities.”
Stuart Skinner, the youngest of nine siblings, has mentioned his family's strong commitment to skating. "It’s been a real different Journey being a goalie parent," remarked his father, Sam, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of raising children amid the pressures of professional sports.
On the ice, Skinner's performance has been closely watched this season. After experiencing some inconsistency, he appears to be on the mend. His statistics from the current season have sparked debates among fans and analysts alike. Skinner's recent performances showed some peaks and valleys; he recorded excellent games, including shutting out the Kings on January 13, but has been seen as only "middling at best" by observers since.
Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic noted, "Skinner has been middling at best since he recorded a 30-save shutout victory..." and outlined his numbers from the current season as somewhat unimpressive, suffusing uncertainty about his future as the Oilers’ starting goalie. Nonetheless, Skinner is tasked to shoulder even more as his team heads toward the international break, with expectations mounting and performances being analyzed closely.
Critics, including The Hockey Writers, cited some surprising rankings, with Stuart Skinner placed 26th among NHL goalies, sparking outrage from supportive circles. Many argue this position does not accurately reflect his potential or performance. "While Skinner's stats are still ho-hum... he is still...better than 26th in all six statistical categories Ground uses for the 32 goalies," said one analyst, strongly marking disparities between Skinner’s capacity and the ranking detailed by Stephen Ground.
Despite the examination of his statistics resting on uneven territory, those close to the Oilers understand Skinner’s capability to rise to the occasion. Last season, he backstopped the Oilers nearly to the Stanley Cup Final, and memories of his clutch performances remain vivid with supporters. While he admittedly is working on consistency this year, it’s apparent many remain hopeful Skinner will soon reverse any misgivings about his current form.
Stuart Skinner’s return to the ice is eagerly anticipated as he gets back to action after the family joy of welcoming little Darcy. Playing against formidable opponents like the Detroit Red Wings, which is scheduled soon, he has support from his burgeoning family and the resilient Oilers fan base cheering him on. His ability to juggle both familial joy and professional challenges seems to symbolize the essence of both his personal and professional life—a balancing act displaying immense growth as both father and athlete.
With self-proclaimed superhero wife Chloe at his side and the birth of his second son, the chapter now opening for Stuart holds not only future games but also the precious dynamics of fatherhood. Their story reflects busy lives interwoven with success, challenges, and the unyielding support of the hockey community.