The Atlanta Thrashers have acquired defenseman Brett Skinner from the New York Islanders in exchange for forward Junior Lessard, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell.
 
 Skinner, 25, has recorded four penalty minutes in 11 games with the Islanders this season, while posting 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 24 games with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League.
 
 The 6-1, 185-pound defenseman has registered 108 points (18 goals, 90 assists) and 116 penalty minutes in 219 career AHL games with Manitoba, Portland, Omaha, Providence and Bridgeport. The native of Brandon, Manitoba also has eight assists and 21 penalty minutes in 28 Calder Cup Playoff games.
 
 Prior to his professional career, Skinner played three seasons at the University of Denver where he tallied 15 goals and 67 assists in 122 games. He was originally selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round, 68th overall, of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
 
 Lessard, 28, has posted 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 41 games this year with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League. The 5-11, 200-pound forward has registered four points (three goals, one assist) in 27 career NHL games with Dallas and Tampa Bay. He also has 179 points (86 goals, 93 assists) in 298 career AHL games with Houston, Iowa, Norfolk and Chicago.
 
 The native of St. Joseph-de-Beauce, Quebec, played four seasons at the University of Minnesota – Duluth from 2000-2004 and posted 142 points (74 goals, 68 assists) in 160 career games with the Bulldogs. He received the 2003-04 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the nation’s top collegiate player after recording career-highs with 32 goals, 31 assists and 63 points.