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Jimmy Skinner

James Donald "Jimmy" Skinner (January 12, 1917 – July 11, 2007) was the Head Coach, Chief Scout & Farm Director, Director of Player Personnel, and General Manager for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. ^[1] He is credited with starting the tradition of kissing the Stanley Cup.^[2] Born in Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada, Skinner won the 1955 Stanley Cup as coach as well as the Prince of Wales Trophy twice,(54/55 & 56/57) but an illness forced him to give up his coaching duties. He continued in a series of other managerial duties with the Red Wings finally retiring as General Manager in 1983. He had an overall NHL coaching record of 123–78–46, and coached three National Hockey League All-Star Games from 1954 to 1958.

Prior to joining the Red Wings, he played for the Selkirk Fishermen, Winnipeg Rangers (an all-star player) & the [[Winnipeg Falcon-Rangers in his teens. He was offered a contract with New York Rangers but declined the offer and played for the Flin Flon Bombers instead. Jimmy was a defenseman & as a member of the bomber squad won the Sask. Senior Hockey League Championship in 1937/38. He also was playing Captain /Coach of the Omaha Knights & in one game scored a 45 ft goal after 11 mins & 19 seconds of an overtime period for a 4-3 victory over the opposing Tulsa Oilers (USHL)in semi-final playoffs. This tied the two teams to 3 games apiece. Jimmy played with the Indianapolis Capitals(playing coach)alongside his brother Ducky in 1943. He then became coach of the Windsor Spitfires before becoming Detroit's coach at the offer of Jack Adams. Other honours while coaching in Windsor include 1947/48 J.P. McGuire Trophy & 1947/49 Joseph Turner Memorial Cup (Windsor Hettche Spitfires)(IHL). Jimmy was instrumental with his friend Sam Pollock in creating the NHL Entry Draft as it is known today. He served on this committee which also included Stafford Smythe, Tommy Ivan & Clarence Campbell. He conducted 2 NHL coaching/referee schools (Man.Sask.Maritimes)in conjunction with the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association. Jimmie's scouting in Europe enabled many European players to play in Canada/USA which is ongoing today. Twenty-seven (27) of his junior players became professional hockey players in the N.H.L. International & American Hockey Leagues, a FEW of these were; Glenn Hall, Johnny Wilson, Glen Skov, [[Al Arbour] ]Brian Kilrea. Coached Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Marcel Pronovost, Red Kelly, Alex Delvecchio and Terry Sawchuk, all of whom went on to become Hall of Famers. Jimmy won the Memorial Cup as Manager,of Hamilton Red Wings in 1962. He also had time to be the Farm Director of the Cincinnati Red Wings in 1963/64.

James had two brothers, Gordon and Morden (Ducky). After their father James Skinner Sr. died, the three of them inherited "Skinner's" restaurant located in Lockport, Manitoba, Canada. Note * While playing hockey in Flin Flon, Jimmy was a left-handed pitcher on the 1938 Flin Flon All Stars/Diamond Ball Championship team as well as the 1940 Zinc Moguls softball championship team.

In 1943 he married Vivian Anna Reynolds. (deceased Jan. 11/07). They had four children, Holly, Karen, Tess, and James (Jr). Every off season since 1945 was spent in Manitoba.

He was inducted into the Detroit Red Wings Hall of Fame in 1977, a member of the Flin Flon Hockey Hall of Fame & inducted into the Windsor Essex County Sports Hall of Fame as a Founder [1] in 2006. He was also inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame in the "Builder" category.

He died in Windsor, Ontario in 2007, the city he lived in from 1945. Note* Mr. Skinner's picture (as well as his brother, Ducky's) has been included in the Indianapolis Historical Society's Sports Section of the Digital Library.(Indianapolis Capitals No. 10. He is also listed in the Manitoba Historical Society. Mr. Skinner also shared his time with the Special Olympics.

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