Sillinger takes monthly honour

By Medicine Hat News on January 3, 2020.

NEWS FILE PHOTO
Medicine Hat Tigers forward Cole Sillinger celebrates after scoring a goal during a Western Hockey League game against the Prince Albert Raiders on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019 at the Canalta Centre. Sillinger will return to the lineup tonight after missing the last 10 games due to an upper-body injury.

Cole Sillinger added another feather to his cap Thursday.

The 16-year-old Medicine Hat Tigers forward was named the Western Hockey League’s rookie of the month for the second time this season following a dominant December on the ice.

Sillinger closed out his month with just less than two points per game, logging two goals and 15 assists over a nine-game stretch, including a six-point game in an 8-4 victory over the Prince Albert Raiders on Dec. 11.

The 6-foot, 187-pound Regina product was held off the scoresheet in just two of Medicine Hat’s nine games through December, and closed out the decade with an assist in his team’s 3-1 win over the Calgary Hitmen on Dec. 28.

With 37 points in 31 games, Sillinger leads all WHL rookies by a seven-point margin and sits 27th in the league’s overall scoring race.

Sillinger and the Tigers (23-11-1-1) return to the Canalta Centre tonight to host the Hitmen (18-11-4-1) at 7:30 p.m.