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Skinner signs 3-year, $7.8 million contract with Oilers

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Stuart Skinner signed a three-year, $7.8 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers, the team announced Monday. It has an average annual value of $2.6 million.

The 24-year-old goalie could have been a restricted free agent after this season. He’s 9-8-1 with a 2.83 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 19 games (18 starts) this season.

“It was just good timing for both of us,” Skinner said after the Oilers morning skate at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Monday. “I think obviously when somebody signs you to an extended contract, it’s very exciting for you. It’s one of those things you’ve been waiting for your whole life. So, it was something I’m very excited about and I’m happy I’m able to be here the next three years.”

Skinner said contract negotiations between Oilers general manager Ken Holland and his agent, J.P. Barry, began a few weeks ago. He said he signed the contract Sunday.

“They came up with the deal,” Skinner said. “I got a few phone calls from my agent, J.P., and they were obviously nice conversations to have, something that makes you really excited about the future.”

Skinner has shared time with Jack Campbell, who signed a five-year, $25 million contract ($5 million average annual value) July 13 but is 8-6-0 with a 4.04 GAA and .875 save percentage. The third-round pick (No. 78) in the 2017 NHL Draft is an Edmonton native who made frequent trips to Rexall Place, the Oilers former arena, while growing up.

“I mean, it just gives you another three years I get to live at home, I get to live where I grew up,” Skinner said. “I get to play for the Oilers, which is the team I have always wanted to play for and the team I grew up watching and idolizing. It’s very, very special for myself that I got to grow up there and sign another deal for another three years with the Oilers. That’s very, very special. I’m extremely grateful.”

Skinner entered this season as Campbell’s backup after Mike Smith was placed on long-term injured reserve and Mikko Koskinen signed with Lugano in Switzerland.

“I’ve always felt comfortable with Stuart,” said Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft, who also coached Skinner in Bakersfield from 2018 to February 2022. “He’s somebody who I think is a great example of not skipping any steps along the way. His development process has been correct.”

NHL.com independent correspondent John Glennon contributed to this story.

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Vancouver Canucks winger Joshua set for season debut after cancer treatment

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Vancouver Canucks winger Dakota Joshua is set to make his season debut Thursday after missing time for cancer treatment.

Head coach Rick Tocchet says Joshua will slot into the lineup Thursday when Vancouver (8-3-3) hosts the New York Islanders.

The 28-year-old from Dearborn, Mich., was diagnosed with testicular cancer this summer and underwent surgery in early September.

He spoke earlier this month about his recovery, saying it had been “very hard to go through” and that he was thankful for support from his friends, family, teammates and fans.

“That was a scary time but I am very thankful and just happy to be in this position still and be able to go out there and play,,” Joshua said following Thursday’s morning skate.

The cancer diagnosis followed a career season where Joshua contributed 18 goals and 14 assists across 63 regular-season games, then added four goals and four assists in the playoffs.

Now, he’s ready to focus on contributing again.

“I expect to be good, I don’t expect a grace period. I’ve been putting the work in so I expect to come out there and make an impact as soon as possible,” he said.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be perfect right from the get-go, but it’s about putting your best foot forward and working your way to a point of perfection.”

The six-foot-three, 206-pound Joshua signed a four-year, US$13-million contract extension at the end of June.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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PWHL MVP Spooner set to miss start of season for Toronto Sceptres due to knee injury

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TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.

The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.

She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.

Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.

Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.

The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

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AP cricket:

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