Cole Sillinger may have convinced Brad Larsen and Jarmo Kekalainen that hes NHL ready, but that was by playing in Traverse City and in the preseason. He uses his stick intelligently when defending against transition, often breaking down plays that come within his vicinity. 3. He trails attackers as they attack the zone and uses his stick to interrupt the play if the opposition slows down or forgets about him. For Sillinger's sake and the Blue Jackets' sake, hopefully, this wasthe last time he's scratched. You can only imagine the battles we have out there, Cole said. Four years prior, Sonny Milano, who has never been discussed or debated on this website before, took a similar path. Sillinger has registered six points, 41 shots on goal and 39 hits in 30 games this season. Cole Sillinger made the decision to play elsewhere, and now hes begun playing his draft year in a league he never expected to, for a team he never expected to play on: the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. Cole Sillinger is not getting that. Mike Sillinger played for a lot of teams. These are the standard examples of the standard timeline for a prospect of Sillingers level. You can often catch him scanning around the defensive zone, keeping track of where the opposition is. Werenski and Voracek not only became bona fide stars, but will also be joining Sillinger for the 2021-22 campaign. Hes showing flashes of knowing when to pressure forecheckers, when to retreat back towards the blue line, when to come low to support his defence and when to get his stick/body in passing lanes to shut them down or intercept the puck. Should Jack Roslovic be a top-line center in the NHL? One could argue that the biggest question mark for Cole Sillinger is his skating. His dad, Mike, played for 12 NHL teams, including two seasons with the Blue Jackets from 2001-03. We have Jack Roslovic and Max Domi to center the top two lines. Sillinger is listed as day-to-day after being injured Saturday versus Boston. 4. I really like Cole 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. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Sillinger was selected by his hometown Blue Jackets with the No. Try a week on us. D.O.B May 16, 2003Nationality CanadaDraft Eligibility 2021Height60Weight187 lbsPosition CenterHandedness Left. Sillinger does possess a wide variety of these traits and with further refinement in how each tool is used in conjunction with the rest of his toolkit, its easy to see how his elusive behaviours would translate to the NHL. Hes out of the bed in the morning by 7-7:30 a.m., hes in the gym two to three hours, and thats his routine. As Cole prepared for his first full season in the WHL in 2019, his family began to realize that he had something special. And the payoff can be all the greater if were patient. (Jasen Robbennolt / Sioux Falls Stampede) After solidifying himself as a first-rounder in his rookie season in the WHL, Cole's rookie. Now that Next Levels program has wrapped up, Sillinger trains in small groups at the Co-operators Centre with his former team, the Regina Pat Canadians, who played seven games before their season was put on hold. You wont often see Cole blindly firing pucks from awkward angles along the perimeter or from far away at the point. [5] His father played professional hockey for the Columbus Blue Jackets at the time of his birth. He doesnt try to force the pass if the lane doesnt exist and will often cutback and reset looking for the next play to make. Read more about cookies here. A record 12 different NHL teams, to be exact. Both very solid options, and neither risk the long term development of an important prospect. There wasnt any guarantee that it was going to work out the way that it did. See our ethics statement. Cole said he added 15 new pounds of muscle so that by the time he arrived in Sioux Falls, his six-foot frame weighed a lean 200 pounds. I never really tried to look at any other career or anything I wanted to do. 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. Sillinger scored a goal and an assist in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Canadiens. Regina-born Cole Sillinger enjoyed a standout rookie year as a 16-year-old with the Medicine Hat Tigers, registering 53 points (including 22 goals) in 48 games during the 2019-20 WHL season. Hes a good multi-tasker who can move pucks to space at high speed. But this team has a lot of centers. 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. Sillinger (undisclosed) left the Blue Jackets' first practice session early Thursday and did not return, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. 1. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sillinger (illness) will be back in the lineup versus Edmonton on Saturday, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reports. Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. Heloves working his legs, Yaskowitch said, laughing. But Cole Sillinger, the youngest of three sons, only remembers his dad playing for one: the New York Islanders. Of these, Voracek, Wennberg and Werenski waited a full season before being full-time NHLers. Thats just the way he was brought up. He was taken with the No. A bounce-back performance. 12 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. His top speed is lackluster, but he has shown improvement between last year and now so theres room to reasonably believe hell continue to improve. But its out of my control. 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. When away from the puck he picks his routes carefully, trying to cross the opposing blue line in a spot where he can support his teammate. Upon rewatching the first few games where I had come away unimpressed, I realized even in these games how his off puck movement and desire to attack open space were creating chances over the ice. Suddenly, Cole leveled the playing field on both fronts. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Gambling problem? He loves being out there, Quinn said. On Sunday, Cole Sillinger officially became the first 18 year old Blue Jacket to make the opening night roster under General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen. 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. The combination of that role, one which encouraged him to make plays; and those linemates, who taught him to relax, led to immediate success. Once you get a bit after Sillingers 12 spot, the draft becomes much less of a sure thing. But it wasnt until his dads fifth and final stop, a three-season stint with the Islanders in the twilight of his career, that Coles memories start to come into focus. We do that lots its the most fun thing to do right now, offered the Medicine Hat Tigers star, whose training options are pretty limited due to COVID restrictions. Sillinger supplied an assist in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Lightning. Im keeping all doors open but obviously Medicine Hat is my first place to play. After the CBJ prospect development camp and a successful rookie tournament in Traverse City, Mich., it's obvious that first-round draft pick Cole Sillinger is already making a name for himself.. Sillinger was drafted by the Coyotes in the first round (11th overall) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. It's important to remember that the 12th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft doesn't even turn 20 until mid-May, and in the long run his struggles this season could be nothing more than a valuable learning experience. The timing of the pandemic isnt ideal for Sillinger, whos a top prospect for the 2021 NHL draft. Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule, Roster, News, and Rumors | The Cannon, 2021 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Cole Sillinger has a high ceiling and Columbus connections, Wild Trade: Gus Nyquist dealt to Minnesota, Game 61 Recap: Blue Jackets slash down Buffalo thanks to Eric Robinsons hat trick. Jarmo dropped the ball with Boston. Details regarding Sillinger's injury have yet to be revealed. That (should) pretty much lock down our top 6 of Laine-Roslovic-Voracek and Nyquist-Domi-BJORKSTRAND. Copyright 2020 Columbus Blue Jackets Hockey Club and the National Hockey League. We encountered an issue signing you up. Middle six forward, likely winger with 20 goal potential and 30 goal upside. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. (Imagine Sillinger and Foudy playing together on Clevelands top line. Like most junior hockey superstars Cole Sillinger is a player who wants to score goals and see that lamp light up. Why picks 6-19, you might ask? While his shot is dangerous in many ways, what really elevates Coles game to the next level is his propensity to hunt for medium/high danger chances over low danger shots. It has been challenging in many ways. All four waited at least a year. Being one of the more unique players in the draft, Cole Sillinger tends to remind of Mark Scheifele. The WHL has pushed back its season on three different occasions so far. Odds & lines subject to change. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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. Enter Search Term. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. He was the kid that used to get nervous for fitness testing. Look for a big improvement this season, especially if he able to spend any time at forward with either Johnny Gaudreau and/or Patrik Laine. He also played four regular-season games with the Tigers in the WHL. NHL and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and the NHL Shield and NHL Conference logos are trademarks of the National Hockey League. Sillinger (along with fellow 2021 first round pick Kent Johnson) put on a show in the Team Canada World Juniors training camp scrimmage. Owen and Lukas followed a different path than Cole, playing their midget AAA hockey for the Regina Pat Canadians before pursuing NCAA commitments to Bemidji State University through the Jr. A BCHLs Penticton Vees. Four years later, now with double the drafting expertise, the Blue Jackets selected Nikita Filatov 6th overall. By his third birthday, his dad had moved from to Nashville via Phoenix and St. Louis. He has recorded two goals, six points, 41 shots on net and 39 hits in 30 games this season. Since the start of April, Sillinger has three goals and three helpers in eight games. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. I honestly havent been blown away by Hofmann, and hes about to turn 29, so Im fine with him sitting as the 14th forward. Family ties:OK, I think pretty much everyone knows about his dad, as Mike played 155 games with the Blue Jackets over two seasons from 2001-03. With these three players, its harder to tell whether they were rushed to the NHL or busts Jarmo and company fell for. Both players had questionable skating at the time of their draft but made up through it with deception, a tendency to hunt for open space, strong off puck play and an eye for narrow passing lanes. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. They tend to not move their feet much and float around, or they dont put in effort when chasing the puck outside of their reach. Sillinger has battled an upper-body injury during training camp, but he made it through full-contact practice Thursday without issue. Sillinger (upper body) was activated from injured reserve Tuesday, per the NHL media site. (Karla) works out five-six times a week, she pushes the boys on nutrition and shes always hey, lets go do this, lets go do that,' Mike said. The Columbus Blue Jackets cannot let Cole Sillinger follow that path. 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. I couldnt play any games so I had to come home. Fr nhere Informationen zur Nutzung Ihrer Daten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzerklrung und Cookie-Richtlinie. 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 scored a goal in Thursday's 6-4 win against Montreal. Bouncing back. history of rushing prospects and forcing kids into the NHL who arent ready yet. This marks the first time Sillinger's been on the ice since suffering an injury on the first day of training camp. Its his compete. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). In the neutral zone, he positions himself to be able to retrieve loose pucks or steal a puck thats been knocked away from the other team. Im just hoping COVID is going to get better and we can start playing again. (Courtesy of Mike Sillinger). The son of 17-year NHL veteran Mike Sillinger, Cole was a high WHL bantam pick in 2018 (11th overall) who delivered a strong pre-draft season in 2019-20 with the Medicine Hat Tigers. Prior to being selected by Columbus, Sillinger scored 53 points (22 goals, 31 assists) in 48 games with Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League in 2019-20. His skating is good, hes got great hands, hes got size. The ball. Get your Columbus Blue Jackets gear today. 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). Cole Sillinger, a rookie center and the NHL's youngest player at age 18, led the way with his first career hat trick. Before long, Cole took over the teams scoring lead despite having missed their first 17 games, rattling off a 14-game point streak in February and March. He needs to display better ankle flexion, moving his knees farther over his toes in order to maintain better skating form. Sillinger, who has missed the past three games, was back on the ice for practice Tuesday. 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. I was down there for about 2 weeks just skating and practising, which was still very good. The 12th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft could be headed for a sophomore slump after recording 16 goals and 31 points through 79 games as an 18-year-old rookie last season. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic delaying the return of the Western Hockey League, the Tigers agreed to send Sillinger to the Sioux Falls Stampede in the United States Hockey League on a one-year loan agreement. I feel like a lot of teams overlook that stuff. He could stand to gamble less on his reads in transition and make smarter, efficient plays more often. Sillinger (upper body) continues to practice in a limited capacity. "I don't worry about him. That leaves Eric Robinson, Kevin Stenlund, and Gregory Hofmann to battle for one final spot. Sillinger also didn't play Monday and it doesn't sound like he will be available to play before the holiday break. Cole always finds a way to score a good number, Owen does everything well, and Lukas has real good hands as a putter, Mike said, laughing, which iskind of how they are in hockey., (Top photo of Cole Sillinger, bottom right, and family: courtesy of Mike Sillinger). And all four went on to at least have fruitful NHL careers. The regular season is a different beast, a beast that will likely hinder Sillinger in his development. With the No. Fast forward to 2021. The 6-0, 197-pounder played two seasons in the WHL before heading to the USHL last year because of the pandemic, playing for Sioux Falls in the USA's top junior league. At the same time, it has been a benefit with a longer training period and more time to work on things that I need to work on that will allow me to have success at the next level.. Hes always trying to be an open outlet option for teammates under pressure. Finally, we close with a trio of late-round picks that were likely rushed to the NHL. Advertisement 5 Story continues below He continues to show promise, and showed hints of chemistry with Alexander Texier in the bubble, but only has a 1-6-7 stat line to show for it in 36 games. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. The pandemic isnt ideal for Sillinger 's injury have yet to be exact Sillinger scored a goal in Thursday 6-4... Had something special or sign in to continue with your reading experience should ) pretty much lock down our 6... Ice for practice Tuesday should Jack Roslovic and Max Domi to center the top lines. Missed the past three games, was back on the first day of training camp,! 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Jackets selected Nikita Filatov 6th overall we close with a trio of picks.