"Brady is a big defenseman who checks all the boxes," said Waddell. "He's an excellent skater, he's competitive, he can move the puck and he can defend. He's under contract through the 2023-24 season, so this is another acquisition that helps us immediately and in the long-term."
Skjei, 25, is in his fifth NHL season and has scored eight goals and added 15 assists (23 points) in 60 games with the New York Rangers. The Lakeville, Minn., native is second among Rangers defensemen in goals, fourth in assists and fourth in points, averaging 20:41 of ice time per game. The Rangers' first round selection, 28th overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft, Skjei has totaled 112 points (25g, 87a) and 170 penalty minutes in 307 career games with New York. He was named to the NHL's All-Rookie team in 2017 after registering 39 points (5g, 34a) in 80 games during his first full NHL season.
Prior to turning professional, Skjei spent three seasons at the University of Minnesota, totaling 27 points (8g, 19a) in 109 collegiate games. A product of the United States National Team Development Program, Skjei has represented at the 2011 U-17 World Junior Championship, the 2012 U-18 World Junior Championship, the 2014 World Junior Championship and the 2016, 2017 and 2019 IIHF World Championships.
