Ekholm Reflects on Lost Commute Camaraderie with Skinner After Trade
When goaltender Stuart Skinner was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Pittsburgh Penguins six weeks ago, defenseman Mattias Ekholm lost more than just a teammate on the ice. He lost his daily commuting partner, the person who shared the front seat during their regular drives to the rink or airport, forging a bond that extended far beyond the game.
A Friendship Forged on the Road
Ekholm reminisced about this routine on Thursday morning, just as Skinner walked by during a media scrum. "There he is … we’re talking about you," said Ekholm, with Skinner joking in response about Ekholm's new haircut. The light-hearted exchange underscored a deeper connection developed over countless hours in the car together.
"We lived in the same neighbourhood so it came natural driving together. It’s a big drive here, so you get a little bit of time to talk about hockey, life in general … trying not to get too high or too low," Ekholm explained. "Sometimes you have a guy to air things out to, and sometimes you don’t talk about hockey at all. We developed a really nice friendship. Yeah I appreciate him as a person."
Skinner's Return to Edmonton
Skinner made his first trip back to Rogers Place since the December 12 trade, arriving early to greet former teammates. He watched the Oilers' optional skate from the bench, exchanging hugs with many, but his bond with Ekholm remained the closest. Unfortunately for Oilers fans, Skinner was in street clothes as the backup to Arthur Silovs, not playing in the game.
The Penguins have been rotating Skinner and Silovs since the trade, but opted to play Skinner in Calgary on Wednesday and against Seattle on Monday, sitting him out for the Edmonton matchup. Skinner had already faced the Oilers in Pittsburgh shortly after the trade, receiving a warm ovation from fans for his contributions as a hometown player from Sherwood Park.
Adjusting to New Beginnings
For Skinner, the trade was a whirlwind, involving visa delays before he could join the Penguins in the U.S. He has since settled in, with his wife and two children arriving in Pittsburgh on December 24. Former Oilers teammate Brett Kulak, also part of the trade, has his family there now as well.
Ekholm's reflections highlight the personal side of professional sports trades, where friendships and daily routines are disrupted. While Skinner's on-ice performance with Pittsburgh has been strong—allowing only 11 goals in his last seven starts—it's the off-ice camaraderie that Ekholm clearly misses, a testament to their meaningful connection beyond the rink.
