1. Bio info: He's a hometown kid - in some ways. Sillinger was born in Columbus on May 16, 2003, during his dad's rather travel-filled NHL career. Cole likely had a lot of addresses as a kid as his dad moved through the league, but he still represents Team Canada at the international level. 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.
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2. Goals aplenty:If there's one hallmark of Sillinger's game, it's that he can score. He had little trouble adjusting to playing with Medicine Hat of the WHL two seasons ago, totaling 22 goals and 53 points in 48 games for the Tigers. With the WHL limited this past season, Sillinger headed to the USHL, where his 24-22-46 line in 31 games left him fourth in the USHL in points per game.
3. Scouting Report:The one thing scouts seem to agree on is Sillinger can shoot the puck. Hockey Sense's Chris Peters says, "Sillinger has one of the best releases in this draft, quick, accurate and deceptive. He can score from distance, but has good hands in tight as well. I think he may be the best in-stride shooter in this draft." The HockeyProspect.com Black Book, meanwhile, writes, "Sillinger features one of the most threatening releases in this year's draft, that's mechanically exceptional and can threaten from distance." Defense and skating appear to be coming along, but anyone who can put the puck in the net brings a lot to the table at the NHL level.
4. 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. It doesn't sound like much, but that was the longest stay of Mike's journeyman NHL career, as he famously skated with 12 teams over 17 years. He certainly could play, though, racking up faceoff wins all over the place while notching 240 goals and 548 points in 1,049 games. Cole isn't the only high-level player in the family, though, as his brothers Owen and Lukas played for Bemidji State this past season.
5. What's next: Sillinger is expected to go back to the WHL this upcoming season to continue his development, but it will be interesting to see just how quickly he makes his way to the NHL. Like any young forward there's a development curve - especially if he projects as a center down the road -- but Columbus has shown it's not afraid to give its young forwards the chance to play quickly over the past few years.
