Sillinger Drafted by Blue Jackets in 1st Round

July 23, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Medicine Hat Tigers News Release

Medicine Hat, AB - The time has come for another crop of hockey's best players to take the next step in their hockey journeys as the NHL held the first round of their annual Entry Draft for players born between January 1, 2001, and September 15, 2003.

For Cole Sillinger this night is not only a culmination of a life dedicated to his craft, but also the start of next chapter of his hockey career. The excitement was palpable as Sillinger heard his name called via Zoom by the Columbus Blue Jackets picked 12th overall in the first round.

Sillinger, a native of Regina Saskatchewan was selected by the Medicine Hat Tigers with the 11th pick in the 1st round of the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft. Cole became the youngest player ever to score in the playoffs in March of 2019.

The 6'0" tall forward followed up his playoff debut with an outstanding rookie season registering 53 points (22G, 31A) in 48 games which won him a share of the teams Rookie of the year award and put him 4th in the Western Hockey League in rookie scoring for the 2019-20 season.

With the COVID-19 making things uncertain, the Tigers loaned Sillinger to the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL, so the young forward could work on his game. In his time in Sioux Falls, Cole continued to excel putting up 46 points (24G, 22A) in 31 games and was named the USHL's Rookie of the Year.

Sillinger is the first Tiger taken in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft since Hunter Shinkaruk was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2013 draft, and the highest drafted player since 2004 when Cam Barker was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks 3rd overall.

Rounds two through seven will take place tomorrow. Tigers Defenceman Dru Krebs is ranked 142nd overall by NHL Central Scouting.

Western Hockey League Stories from July 23, 2021

• Five WHL Players Selected in First Round of 2021 NHL Draft - WHL
• Wallstedt Becomes Highest Drafted Swedish Goaltender Ever, One of Two Winterhawks Prospects Taken Night One of the NHL Draft - Portland Winterhawks
• Lambos Selected by Wild 26th Overall in 2021 NHL Draft - Winnipeg Ice
• Giants Prospect Fabian Lysell Selected 21st Overall by the Boston Bruins - Vancouver Giants
• Sillinger Drafted by Blue Jackets in 1st Round - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Oil Kings Sebastian Cossa Drafted 15th Overall by Detroit Red Wings - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Oil Kings Dylan Guenther Drafted Ninth Overall by Arizona Coyotes - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Seth Jones Traded to Chicago, Reunited with Brother Caleb - Portland Winterhawks
• NHL Draft Preview: Winterhawks Players and Prospects to be Selected - Portland Winterhawks
• The Stanley Cup Is Coming to Portland - Portland Winterhawks
• 2021 NHL Entry Draft: Who to Watch - Saskatoon Blades
• Repcik Inks with Hurricanes - Lethbridge Hurricanes
• ICE Set for 2021 NHL Draft - Winnipeg Ice

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Medicine Hat Tigers Stories

• Gavin McKenna Named to the CHL First All-Star Team
• Tigers Sign Davidson and Heger to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreements
• Randy Noble - 1961-2025
• Gavin McKenna Named the CHL David Branch Player of the Year
• Gavin McKenna Named a Finalist for the CHL's 2024-25 David Branch Player of the Year