Aug. 29, 2005

DENVER - University of Denver hockey senior captain Brett Skinner (Brandon, Manitoba) will forego his senior of eligibility after signing a two-year entry level contract with the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks last week. The Canucks drafted Skinner in the third round (68th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

The 6-1, 195-pound defenseman helped the Pioneers to back-to-back NCAA Championships last season with a team-leading 36 assists. Skinner ranked fifth on the team with 40 points and earned CCM West All-American second-team honors. He was named to the 2005 Frozen Four All-Tournament Team after recording five assists, including four against Colorado College, in Denver's two victories. Skinner and teammate Matt Carle (Anchorage, Alaska) were the highest point-scoring defensive duo in college hockey with 84 points (17g, 67a).

"Brett has developed into a terrific leader, a terrific man, and fine alumni of this program," head coach George Gwozdecky said. "We're happy he's reached a level that he's dreamed about and wish him nothing but the best during his professional career."

Skinner finishes his career as the ninth-most prolific scoring defenseman in DU history with 87 career points. He ranks sixth all-time among DU defensemen with 72 career assists. Skinner helped DU capture two NCAA National Championships, one WCHA regular-season title, one WCHA Final Five title and three Wells Fargo Denver Cup championships. DU posted an 80-35-13 (.676) during Skinner's three-year career from 2002-2005.

He is the first Pioneer to turn pro early since Mark Rycroft left DU at the end of his junior season in 2000.