Sillinger heads home after proving his worth with Tigers
By Ryan McCracken on September 10, 2018.
NEWS PHOTO RYAN MCCRACKEN Medicine Hat Tigers prospect Cole Sillinger carries the puck up ice during a scrimmage at the team's training camp Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 at the Canalta Centre. At just 15 years old Sillinger is too young to play in the WHL this season but some on the team think he has the skills to play in the league now.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com @MHNMcCracken Medicine Hat Tigers prospect Cole Sillinger parted ways with his major junior club following Saturday’s 3-0 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors in Irvine, but not before proving he can hold his own in the Western Hockey League at just 15 years old. The Tigers selected Sillinger 11th overall in May’s WHL bantam draft after the young centre recorded a staggering 83 points in 30 games with the Canadian Sport School Bantam Hockey League’s Okanagan Hockey Academy last season. Despite this pre-season being his first taste of the Dub, Sillinger walked away with four goals over four games, as well as a new level of confidence to bring back to Regina. “Ilearned so much from the guys and the coaches and I just think that’s something I’ve got to take back to my midget team,” said Sillinger, who will be eligible to play full-time with the Tigers next season. “If Ican keep playing at this pace things will work out for me.” Tigers centre Gary Haden added he believes Sillinger is more than capable of competing in the WHLthis season, which will make him all the more dangerous when he makes his official debut next season. “That kid could play in the league right now.He’s really good, he does it all,” said Haden. “He’s going to be a great player.” Tigers head coach and general manager Shaun Clouston says he expected big things from his top draft pick, but Sillinger exceeded the mark in every category. “He was way above average for us. He’s a great person, he’s a smart player, he’s competitive and he’s very skilled. He’s going to be a great player and we’re just thrilled to have him.” Sillinger, who will take his game back to Regina with his hometown midget AAA Pat Canadians, added it took a lot of hard work to bring his game to a WHLlevel, and it’ll take a lot more to thrive in the league when he likely debuts next fall. “There’s been a lot of hard work put into this over the summer and over the past few years, but it’s just something you’ve got to keep working toward —getting better every day.” 11
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