The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Cole Sillinger with the No. 12 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Cole Sillinger
Position: Center
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 201 lbs
Age: 18
Club: Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
Nationality: American
| GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 24 | 22 | 46 |
(Stats source: EliteProspects.com)
Sillinger put together an incredible rookie season with the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers in 2019-20, recording 53 points in 48 games. With his freshman campaign cut short due to COVID-19 and the WHL's status in limbo this past season, Sillinger opted to play 2020-21 in the USHL.
He didn't miss a beat competing in a new league, performing as one of the USHL's top forwards. His offensive prowess is remarkable. He has an incredible shot but can also dish the puck around just as well. Cole's father, Mike Sillinger, played over 1,000 career NHL games.
What they're saying
"Sillinger is a smart player who can make seam passes consistently and make creative plays due to his great hands and offensive IQ," writes The Athletic's Corey Pronman. "He can play on the perimeter due to his vision and a great one-timer/wrist shot combo, which he gets off with velocity and accuracy."