Cole Sillinger

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Sillinger's path began when the Medicine Hat Tigers selected him 11th overall in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft. He made his junior debut in the 2018–19 season, appearing in four games and tallying two assists. By 2019–20, he had become a scoring force for the Tigers, finishing fourth among teammates with 22 goals and 53 points across 48 appearances. When the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the WHL return in 2020, the Tigers loaned him to the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. This move proved transformative; during the 2020–21 season, Sillinger led the Stampede with 24 goals and 46 points in just 31 games. His performance was so dominant that league general managers unanimously voted him the 2021 USHL Rookie of the Year, securing his spot on both the first all-USHL rookie team and the all-USHL third team.

In Their Own Story

On March 13, 2022, Cole Sillinger etched his name into Blue Jackets history with a defining performance against the Vegas Golden Knights. In a high-scoring 6–4 victory, he recorded his first NHL career hat-trick, showcasing the offensive flair that made him a top prospect. This moment validated the organization's decision to draft him 12th overall just months prior. His progression continued into August 2024, when the Blue Jackets secured his future with a two-year contract extension worth $4.5 million, averaging $2.25 million annually. These milestones reflect a player who has successfully transitioned from a bantam draft pick in 2018 to a key piece of the NHL roster, growing up watching his father play for the very team he now represents.

Reader's Guide

Sillinger operates as a center within the Columbus Blue Jackets system, leveraging the skills honed during his junior career. His development was shaped by his time in the Western Hockey League with Medicine Hat and the USHL with Sioux Falls before his NHL call-up. Fans should track his offensive production, noting his ability to lead teams in points, as seen when he topped the Stampede in 2020–21. While he grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan representing Hockey Canada, his birthplace of Columbus, Ohio ties him directly to the team's community roots. With two older brothers also playing hockey—Owen with Cleveland Monsters and Lukas at Arizona State University—the Sillinger name remains a significant part of the current hockey landscape.

Did You Know?

• Cole Sillinger was born in Columbus, Ohio, the same city where his father Mike played for the Blue Jackets at the time of Cole's birth.
• He became the unanimous choice for 2021 USHL Rookie of the Year after leading the Sioux Falls Stampede with 46 points in 31 games.
• Sillinger scored his first NHL career hat-trick on March 13, 2022, in a 6–4 win against the Vegas Golden Knights.
• His father, Mike Sillinger, played for four different teams (Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders) while Cole was growing up.
• Cole has two older brothers who play hockey: Owen, who plays for the Cleveland Monsters, and Lukas, who skates at Arizona State University.