The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed one of their three first round picks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft as they have agreed to terms with Cole Sillinger on an Entry Level Contract.
Sillinger spent the 2017/18 season in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) playing for the Okanagan Hockey Academy (OHA) U15 Prep team. In 30 games he would score 46 goals and add 37 assists, finishing fourth in league scoring with 83 points.
At the conclusion of the 2017/18 season the Medicine Hat Tigers selected Sillinger 11th overall in the 2018 Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft. He would join the Tigers in 2019/20, finishing with 53 points in 48 games.
Having tallied 99 points in 79 junior games the Blue Jackets selected Sillinger 12th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The Blue Jackets used first round picks on former CSSHL alumni Kent Johnson (5th overall/BWC Academy) and Corson Ceulemans (25th overall/OHA Edmonton).
Although he was born in Columbus, Ohio, the son of former NHLer Mike Sillinger plays internationally for Canada having suited up for Canada White at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge tournament. Sillinger was one of 14 CSSHL alumni invited to Canada’s National Junior Team summer development camp, looking to earn on a spot on the 2022 World Juniors team.