Skinner bolts depleted MSU lineup

Sophomore forward Peder Skinner has left Michigan State for the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League.

Skinner, a 5-foot-8, 160-pound native if Isle-aux Morts, Newfoundland, played in three of MSU's five games this year, but saw limited ice. He recorded four assists in 20 games a year ago.

"Peder just wants to play and had become frustrated," Spartans head coach Rick Comley told the Lansing State Journal. "He couldn't work himself into a high enough spot in our lineup that he was going to be content with. Kingston offered him an educational package so his schooling will be taken care of. This is one of those situations where this is probably best for both of us.''

“Peder was not getting the ice time that he was lead to believe he would be receiving,” said Kingston's director of hockey operations Larry Mavety. “After initial contact and discussion, he expressed interest in joining our hockey club. He’s a very skilled forward that put up over 80 points his last year in Junior A with St. Mike’s and will add another dimension to our hockey club."

Skinner's departure reduces the Spartans' roster to 28 players - three goalies, nine defensemen and 16 forwards.

Injuries have sidelined seven players - forwards David Booth, Tim Kennedy, Chris Mueller, Nick Sucharski and Jim McKenzie and defensemen Chris Snavely and Brandon Gentile. Freshman center Justin Abdelkader will miss Friday's series opener against Northern Michigan because of a one-game suspension for a major penalty and disqualification assessed Saturday in MSU's 4-3 win at Cornell.