By Medicine Hat News on June 12, 2020.
Medicine Hat Tigers forward Cole Sillinger has been recognized as one of 46 players who were invited to Canada’s under-18 selection camp for the now-cancelled Hlinka Gretzky Cup. While the camp will not be held, Hockey Canada’s senior vice president of national teams Scott Salmond said in a release that it was important to recognize the work that players and coaches put in to prepare for the summer tournament, which was scheduled to take place Aug. 3-8 in Edmonton and Red Deer. “It was a difficult decision to cancel the tournament, as it provides the opportunity to showcase the top under-18 players in a best-on-best international showcase,” Salmond says in the release. “We want to recognize the 46 players and our three coaches for this tremendous accomplishment, and we look forward to watching all players continue to develop as they look ahead to next season and a chance to compete at the IIHF U18 World Championship.” Sillinger – a 17-year-old Regina product who put up 22 goals and 31 assists during 48 games as a rookie with the Tigers this season – was one of 12 Western Hockey League players named to the selection camp roster, and one of 26 forwards. Brooks Bandits defenceman Corson Ceulemans was also named to the roster. Ceulemans, a 17-year-old product of Beaumont, put up five goals and 30 assists in 44 Alberta Junior Hockey League games this year. Sillinger and Ceulemans competed with Canada White and Canada Black, respectively, at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Medicine Hat last November. 7