Coles earliest childhood memories are of Christmas skates at Nassau Coliseum, where hed hold hands with Mike Comrie or Rick DiPietro as he learned to skate. With the WHL on hiatus,Sillinger had previously arranged to join the USHLs Sioux Falls Stampede, who picked up his junior A rights in late summer. As things usually do with Cole, that pursuit then became an obsession. The transfer was completed on January 13th 2021 and, at the time of writing this article, Sillinger is nearly maintaining a goal per game pace with 7 goals and 12 points in his first 8 games. Sillinger (illness) will be back in the lineup versus Edmonton on Saturday, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports. Cole Sillinger Has Improved in the Eight Games He's Played Since Being Scratched. Sillinger was unable to play Thursday versus Minnesota, but he could be ready to go versus the Oilers on Saturday. Grand total of 6-7-13 in 44 games. The 19-year-old has plenty of talent and this is likely going to be a small blip in his NHL career. Sillingers closest comparable, in terms of development timeline, is Gilbert Brule, the guy who got injured in his second game and never recovered. Guenthers very good, really good, but Sillinger is scary. Sillinger was on the top line with Jakub Voracek and Gustav Nyquist for this contest, but they were heavily outplayed. When the Sillingers settled in Regina in Mikes retirement, hockey was all that Cole ever thought about. Sillinger has battled an upper-body injury during training camp, but he made it through full-contact practice Thursday without issue. There were some times he really frustrated me as there were opportunities to make high level plays that he passed up on for low probability 1 on 1 encounters. The Sillinger boys were too close for real fights, but there wasnt a day that went by where the youngest wasnt trying to keep up with his older brothers. - Tony Ferrari, Dobber Prospects, Sillingers one of the players Im higher on than most in this draft. Gambling problem? Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited. But this team has a lot of centers. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. The Senators swarmed Sillinger, but he still managed to thread the puck to Jack Roslovic for the single Blue Jackets tally. He loves being in the gym, Yaskowitch said. Hes a good multi-tasker who can move pucks to space at high speed. [2] He debuted and appeared in 4 games with the Tigers in 201819, tallying two assists. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Sillinger was selected by his hometown Blue Jackets with the No. He plays a safer game in the defensive zone. 2021-22 Season Outlook The HockeyProspect.com Black Book, meanwhile, writes, "Sillinger features one of the most threatening releases in this year's draft, that's mechanically exceptional and can threaten from distance." He doesnt just bring his game to the table, he changes culture because hes such a good kid and a hard-working player, Desjardins said. Ive yet to see many shifts where he displays all these attributes in succession but the individual skills are there and, with the right development, could come together to be a good supporting defensive winger at the NHL level. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. PEP skills coach Nick Quinn, who works with dozens of NHL players and prospects, took away the same first impression that Desjardins had. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. We cant do three-on-twos or battle drills or one-on-ones; its more skill-type stuff, but Im fortunate enough to skate with them, said Sillinger, whos trying to make the best of a difficult situation. I was able to get into a routine and got to be a part of an actual team again.. Sillinger scored a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Canadiens. Here's five things to know about Sillinger. His work left him with a body fat percentage of six, per Stampede coach Brett Skinner, who actually sat next to Mike in the Islanders dressing room for 11 games. The only reason why the 2005 Blue Jackets used Brule was because their best center was Jan Hrdina. He understands the value of drawing in defenders before passing the puck to a teammate in order to create more space around the ice. No points. Its a habit., When Cole showed up to training camp with Medicine Hat to begin his 16-year-old season, those habits paid off when he finished in the Tigers top five in fitness testing, something the teams head coach and general manager Willie Desjardins said was very unusual for a first-year player.. tap here to see other videos from our team, Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account and fewer ads, Get exclusive access to the National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on, Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists, Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists, Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword, Access articles from across Canada with one account, Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments, Get email updates from your favourite authors. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. 5. Hockey Sense's Chris Peters says, "Sillinger has one of the best releases in this draft, quick, accurate and deceptive. During the 202021 season, Sillinger led the Stampede in points, garnering 24 goals and 46 points in 31 games played. And thats so important. Im scratching to play for sure, he said. [3] He earned 2021 USHL Rookie of the Year honors by a unanimous vote of league general managers for his performance and was elected to the first all-USHL rookie team and all-USHL third team. His dad, Mike, played for 12 NHL teams, including two seasons with the Blue Jackets from 2001-03. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. When it was Coles turn to be drafted, he was already 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, a full four or five inches and 40-plus pounds more than Owen and Lukas were at the same age. Sillinger grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan and represents Hockey Canada. Per moneypuck.com, Sillinger registered 0.373 expected goals at five-on-five, which ranked fourth on the team, and his 80.4% on-ice expected goals-for percentage was the best on the Blue Jackets. by Kemba Financial Credit Union, Toy Collection benefitting the Salvation Army. Sillinger is a skilled two-way player who is equally adept at creating offense and playing sound defense. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. I think he may be the best in-stride shooter in this draft." The Columbus native was taken by his hometown team 12th overall in the 2021 draft, and has convinced the coaching staff over the past 10 weeks to grant him a spot among the 23 players to be paid the big bucks starting Thursday, likely playing with Boone Jenner and Max Domi. Im fortunate to have a pretty good training system here in Regina. It seems like I cant catch a break but at the same time everyone is in the same boat. In 14:16, Sillinger registered three shots on goal, did not commit a turnover, and won 4/8 of the face-offs he took. He can maintain puck control through contact, and tries to gain body position so that he has leverage in his physical encounters to push off stronger opponents. Cole Sillinger, who is affectionately known around the Blue Jackets' locker room as Silly, is off to the best possible start to a season for someone who is still just 18 years old. I believed that I took full advantage of those 10 months off of training and did everything I possibly could in that time and I wanted to go showcase it in a season.. Sillinger (upper body) will play Thursday versus the Blues, Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda reports. Hes a freak. He was always that deadline acquisition to shore up the third line, Skinner said. 12 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Desperate times dont have to require desperate measures. Taken 16th overall in 2014s draft, Milano made his debut late in March 2016, netting one assist in three games to close the season, before spending the next four seasons travelling I-71. And thats something you cant see from the outside.. Cole Sillinger Center -- shoots L Born May 16 2003 -- Columbus, OH [19 yrs. He has the means to do so as well, as he boasts a quick release that generates a ton of velocity with very little sacrifice in accuracy. The 2005 6th overall pick has a 43-52-95 stat line in 299 career NHL games, half of which with Columbus, over eight seasons. 2. Spin: Sillinger sat out Thursday's tilt versus Minnesota with the illness, but was back at practice Friday. He has some selfish tendencies but with a shot like that, I would too. Id go as far as to say he even has some chippiness in his game. He returned to the lineup on Tuesday against Nashville, a game the Blue Jackets lost 2-1, but he was one of the team's best players. In the weeks leading up to the NHL draft in July, Cole Sillinger's family had a little fun making predictions . He could also feel the work hed done paying off in his acceleration, his strength below the circles, and how hard he became to knock off of pucks. His 1.1 points per game (53 points in 48 games) also led all of the leagues under-17 players, solidifying him as one of the top prospects for the 2021 NHL Draft. Im just hoping COVID is going to get better and we can start playing again. Not just once, but two games in a row. His offensive ceiling may be as high as almost anyone in the draft class. While the Blue Jackets won't have Sillinger, Johnny Gaudreau, who missed the last two games because of a lower-body injury, is ready to return Thursday. Four years later, now with double the drafting expertise, the Blue Jackets selected Nikita Filatov 6th overall. On the ice, Cole adapted seamlessly to the USHLs Western Conference, which both he and Skinner insist is harder to score in and plays more of a chip-and-chase style than the WHL. He has two older brothers that play hockey. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Based on. Cole Sillinger, left, and Jack Glen, right, play some outdoor shinny behind the Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre. government to spend additional $178 million on various programs, Jump-start your career in health care with this unique opportunity from College Mathieu. As an independent site, we're committed to delivering Blue Jackets fans the news and analysis they deserve, all while remaining free. Some players never develop good off puck habits to support their teammates when they arent the ones driving the bus. The Pat Cs can still practise but theyre limited to just eight people on the ice at one time due to the latest COVID restrictions. (This story was originally published on June 4, 2021.). "I don't worry about him. For Sillinger to get an NHL shot, he had to go from skinny kid to gym rat and become a relentless, powerful and hard-hitting 6-foot, 201-pound menace. Im keeping all doors open but obviously Medicine Hat is my first place to play. Sean Kuraly was explicitly signed to slot in at the 4C. Yes, he has impressed in camp. I cant imagine that Cole Sillinger ever expected his draft year to play out the way that it has. Its his compete. It helps that, aside from Sillinger, all but one prospect in this range was drafted in 2015 or before, meaning that 90% of these guys have had enough time to marinate and analyze. I never really tried to look at any other career or anything I wanted to do. In Ottawa he only played 9 games before returning to Russia on a more permanent basis. The WHL has pushed back its season on three different occasions so far. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. He really is a great character. You can only imagine the battles we have out there, Cole said. Cole Sillinger was born in Columbus, Ohio on May 16, 2003, the third son to Karla ( ne Dreger) Sillinger and former National Hockey League forward Mike Sillinger. The 2021 Jackets are not desperate for centers. His dad, Mike, played for 12 NHL teams, including. Sillinger has two goals and eight points in 52 contests this season. Theres notable improvement between the WHL shut down and his arrival in the USHL but its still among his weaker attributes. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Similar to Picard before him, he would bounce between Syracuse, Columbus, and Moscow for the next three seasons before being traded to Ottawa. And the times arent even all that desperate. 4. Over three years, he tallied 32 points while bouncing between the fourth line, the press box, the IR, and the minors, before being traded to his hometown Edmonton Oilers to continue an injury-riddled career. He demonstrates deception by combining numerous body fakes, look offs and skill moves to create his ideal shooting lanes. Theres a stat with (NFL running back) Marshawn Lynch where its most yards after contact and I dont know if analytics can keep that stat in hockey but his ability to make contact with someone and maintain possession to create time and space for himself to allow himself to use his hands is almost off the charts.. Sometimes its like lets just take a step back for a second and rest. But hes your ideal athlete essentially. While some of these are likely just straight up misses by the scouting department, many are the victims of an expansion team desperate for something resembling talent, or a tweener franchise trying to find a center for their star winger. Sillinger has been dealing with a minor upper-body issue in camp but he'll be good to go Monday. Prior to that, Sillinger had been skating regularly with local pro and junior players at Next Level Hockey Consulting in Regina. Sillinger needs a year or so to develop, someone has to play center during that year. Never miss a beat in Canadian Curling with the new On The Rocks newsletter, Stay Posted on Canadian Curling with the On The Rocks newsletter, Top NHL prospect Cole Sillinger has gone old school during the pandemic, Charlebois: Spring cleaning at Tim Hortons, Sask. Of these, Voracek, Wennberg and Werenski waited a full season before being full-time NHLers. Sillinger supplied an assist in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Lightning. And it doesnt help that the Jackets have only had one other pick in between nine and 15 in franchise history. 2003 4th overall pick Nikolay Zherdev did join the CBJ midway through the 2003-04 season after defecting from Russia, but arguably wouldve been better off staying overseas until the end of the lockout. Whether by injury, mental intimidation, or other means, its likely in the best interest of both Sillinger and the CBJ to give the rookie a bit more time in Medicine Hat or Cleveland rather than rush him in and keep guys who are NHL ready on the outside. Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule, Roster, News, and Rumors | The Cannon, High Risk, No Reward: Why Cole Sillinger Playing in the NHL This Season is a Terrible Idea, Wild Trade: Gus Nyquist dealt to Minnesota, Game 61 Recap: Blue Jackets slash down Buffalo thanks to Eric Robinsons hat trick. Born in Columbus, Cole Sillinger has returned as a key Blue Jackets puzzle piece. Mike was quick to credit the familys matriarch, Karla, for Coles obsession. He impressed in his emergency debut during the 2019-20 season, a year and a half after he was taken 18th overall in the 2018 Draft. Brassard only had 17 games experience before joining the CBJ full-time in 2008-09, two seasons after his draft year. It has been challenging in many ways. His skating is good, hes got great hands, hes got size. With the WHL limited this past season, Sillinger headed to the USHL, where his 24-22-46 line in 31 games left him fourth in the USHL in points per game. Even if so, Id still like for Boone Jenner to pair with him for defensive draws and as a general security blanket. The four successful players are Derick Brassard (6th overall 2006, 503 points in 905 games), Jakub Voracek (7th overall 2007, 738 in 968), Alexander Wennberg (14th overall 2013, 230 in 471) and Zach Werenski (8th overall in 2015, 189 in 335). I want to show how hard Ive been working in this time off. Sillinger made the most of his opportunity in the USHL, scoring 46 points (24 goals, 22 assists) in 31 games and being named the league's rookie of the year. They get after each other. We dont. Cole isn't the only high-level player in the family, though, as his brothers Owen and Lukas played for Bemidji State this past season. On March 13, 2022, Sillinger scored his first NHL career hat trick with the Blue Jackets against the Vegas Golden Knights. Trade Deadline Preview - Defensemen: Where does Vladislav Gavrikov go now? We encountered an issue signing you up. Not just once, but two games in a row. Hes going to bring both to an organization. Finally, we close with a trio of late-round picks that were likely rushed to the NHL. Would Brule have become a star in the NHL if not for those two leg injuries? Hes the son of former Blue Jacket Mike Sillinger. The thing that everybody talks about is that (Mike) played on so many different teams in the NHL but theres a reason for that. Coles a beauty. As could Skinner. Sillinger recorded four hits and three shots on goal during Tuesday's loss to the Predators. Liam Foudy is the most recent of the three selections, having just missed the cut for the NHL roster this year, after bouncing between Columbus and Cleveland last year. Sillingers a stud., Sillinger is possibly the best pure shooter in the draft. Things also came more naturally to Cole in the gym than for his brothers. The 19-year-old center will be eased in, playing between Mathieu Olivier and Cole Fonstad on the projected fourth line in this contest, though Sillinger should have a chance to challenge for top-six minutes once the regular season rolls around. Were likely rushed to the Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, including was to... 2022, Sillinger registered three shots on goal during Tuesday 's where did cole sillinger go to high school to the Athletic for in-depth coverage your! 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