Due to Skinner’s flawless 23-save performance against the Golden Knights last night Capital Power has donated $10,000 to the Kids with Cancer Society for the seventh time this season.
For the seventh time this season, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner turned in a performance that did more than light up the scoreboard—it lit up hearts. With a perfect 23-save shutout against the Vegas Golden Knights last night at Rogers Place, Skinner once again triggered a $10,000 donation from Capital Power to the Kids with Cancer Society. It’s a remarkable partnership that turns goaltending brilliance into tangible help for children and families navigating the toughest battle of all.
As the final horn sounded, sealing a 3-0 win over one of the Oilers’ fiercest Western Conference rivals, fans roared not just for another two points in the standings, but for a deeper cause. Skinner’s shutout marked the seventh Capital Power Clean Sheet donation of the 2024–25 NHL season, bringing the total to $70,000 raised so far. The impact is profound—and deeply personal for Skinner.
“I think every time I get to be part of something like this, it reminds me why I love this game beyond the ice,” said Skinner after the game, smiling modestly beneath a sweaty ball cap in the postgame press scrum. “Obviously, we play to win and compete, but to know that every save can make a difference in a kid’s life—it’s bigger than hockey.”
Skinner has become more than just a starting goaltender for the Oilers; he’s become a face of community leadership in Edmonton. The Capital Power Clean Sheet campaign, launched at the beginning of the 2023–24 season, was designed as an initiative to connect sport with service. For every shutout by an Oilers goalie, Capital Power donates $10,000 to the Kids with Cancer Society, a local organization providing essential programs, financial support, and counseling to families facing pediatric cancer diagnoses.
For Skinner, the alignment between the crease and the cause is natural.
“I’ve got nieces and nephews, and just thinking about what those families go through—it’s hard to imagine,” he said. “If standing on my head a few nights a year helps out, then I’m honored.”
From the opening puck drop, it was clear that Skinner was locked in. The Golden Knights, known for their high-octane offensive threats like Jack Eichel and Jonathan Marchessault, came hard early in the first period, testing Skinner with eight shots in the first ten minutes alone.
“He was reading plays before they developed,” said Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. “He controlled rebounds, his positioning was excellent, and he was just calm in the net. That kind of steadiness is contagious.”
Skinner’s calm demeanor and laser focus created frustration for the Knights, who were shut down on all four of their power play chances. His biggest moment came midway through the third period with the game still within reach for Vegas. A turnover led to a 2-on-1 rush, and Skinner flashed the glove to rob Eichel of a surefire goal that would’ve cut the Oilers’ lead in half.
That save drew a standing ovation—and chants of “Skin-ner! Skin-ner!” erupted across Rogers Place.
“You could feel the emotion in the building,” said defenseman Darnell Nurse. “We’re proud of Stu, and we all know what that save meant—not just for the scoreboard, but for the donation too.”
This was the seventh shutout of the season for Skinner, and each one has come with increasing anticipation—not just among fans, but within the broader Edmonton community. Capital Power’s Clean Sheet initiative has become a beloved part of the Oilers’ narrative, blending sports and philanthropy in a uniquely Edmonton way.
“Every time Stuart gets a shutout, it’s like a win for the whole city,” said Bryan DeBruin, Capital Power’s Director of Community Relations. “We’ve always believed in the power of sport to uplift, inspire, and mobilize communities. And Stuart’s season has helped us raise awareness for a cause that’s very close to many people’s hearts.”
The Kids with Cancer Society has been a beacon of support for families across Alberta for over 40 years. Their services include everything from emergency financial aid and educational supports to family counseling and recreational opportunities—programs that go far beyond treatment rooms and into the emotional core of the cancer journey.
“We can’t thank Stuart, the Oilers, and Capital Power enough,” said Jill Martin, Executive Director of the Kids with Cancer Society. “Every dollar makes a difference. But more than that, these shutouts shine a spotlight on the courage of our kids. When people cheer for Skinner, they’re also cheering for children fighting every day.”
Each year, approximately 150 children in Alberta are diagnosed with cancer. Though medical advances have improved survival rates, the journey remains agonizing and costly for many families. Travel, time off work, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and emotional strain take a toll that statistics can’t capture.
This is where the Kids with Cancer Society comes in—and where campaigns like Capital Power’s matter most. The $70,000 already donated this season has directly impacted over 100 families, according to the organization. From covering utility bills to ensuring children receive education support while undergoing chemotherapy, these funds serve immediate and real needs.
“It’s so heartwarming to know that people are rallying behind us,” said Chelsea, the mother of 5-year-old cancer survivor Liam, who met Skinner at a team practice earlier this season. “That $10,000? It helped us keep our home. It helped us breathe when everything else felt like it was crumbling.”
While Skinner’s shutouts serve as the trigger, the campaign’s success speaks to a broader community mindset. Oilers teammates, many of whom have taken time to visit the Kids with Cancer Society’s headquarters, say it’s one of the most meaningful parts of playing in Edmonton.
“I’ve been part of a few visits, and the strength those kids show—it’s unbelievable,” said forward Zach Hyman. “When you put a smile on a kid’s face who’s fighting something that serious, you remember why we’re lucky to do what we do.”
The Oilers organization has fully embraced the cause. Each shutout is highlighted not just in postgame media, but in arena announcements and social media posts bearing the hashtag #StopCancer—a rallying cry that has become synonymous with Skinner’s stellar play.
Fans have joined in, too. Local businesses have begun matching donations in smaller increments, and children at area schools have started their own “Save Challenges,” donating coins for every save Skinner makes in a game. It’s snowballed into a full-blown movement.
In many ways, Skinner’s rise mirrors the journey of the Kids with Cancer Society: quiet strength, growing visibility, and an unwavering focus on resilience.
A seventh-round pick in 2017, Skinner wasn’t expected to become the backbone of the Oilers. But hard work, patience, and steady development earned him the starting role. His mature presence has since given Edmonton both goaltending stability and an emotional anchor.
“Stuart is someone the whole city can get behind,” said longtime Oilers broadcaster Jack Michaels. “He’s a hometown kid, he’s humble, and he plays with heart. Every time he steps on the ice, he brings purpose to the net—and now, purpose beyond the rink.”
For Skinner, though, the accolades are secondary.
“This isn’t about me,” he said last night, as he handed his game stick to a young cancer survivor who had been invited to the locker room. “This is about the kids. They’re the real heroes.”
With the playoffs looming and the Oilers jostling for top position in the Pacific Division, Skinner’s shutouts could prove to be pivotal not just in the standings, but in fundraising as well. Capital Power has confirmed that the Clean Sheet campaign will continue into the postseason, meaning every playoff shutout will also result in a $10,000 donation.
“We hope he gets a few more,” joked Coach Knoblauch with a smile. “But no pressure, Stu.”
Whether or not more shutouts come, one thing is clear: the connection between the Oilers, Capital Power, and the Kids with Cancer Society is stronger than ever.
Social media was flooded with messages of support following last night’s win. From NHL analysts to local fans, the message was the same: Skinner is stopping more than just pucks—he’s stopping pain, worry, and despair, one save at a time.
@OilersFaithful posted: “Every shutout by Skinner = hope. This is the kind of stuff that makes you proud to be from Edmonton. #StopCancer #OilersNation”
@KidsWithCancerAB added: “THANK YOU Stuart Skinner and Capital Power! That’s another $10,000 to help brave kids and their families. We couldn’t do this without you.
The Oilers’ next home game offers another opportunity—not just to chase playoff positioning, but to change lives.
And for Stuart Skinner, each shot he stops carries more weight than most goalies will ever know.