2019 Draft Pick Hunter Skinner Signs with the New York Rangers

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 22: Hunter Skinner poses after being selected 112nd overall by the New York Rangers during the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)

The New York Rangers have announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Hunter Skinner on an entry-level contract. Skinner was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round, 112th overall, of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

The Rangers have stated that Skinner will join the Hartford Wolf Pack on an AHL contract for the remainder of the 2020-21 season, and his entry-level contract begins at the start of the 2021-22 season. His signing adds some right-handed defenseman depth for the Blueshirts organization.

The soon-to-be 20-year-old Skinner skated in 26 games with the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL this season, registering seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points, along with 19 penalty minutes. He ranks third among ECHL defensemen in goals and ranks 10th among ECHL defensemen in shots on goal (74) in 2020-21.

After playing with the Lincoln Stars and the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL, Skinner played with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2019-20, registering 32 points (six goals, 26 assists) and a plus-22 rating in 62 games.

Internationally, the Wyandotte, Michigan native helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship.