Sillinger taking Team Canada nod in stride amid cancelled Hlinka Gretzky Cup

“It was a tough end to the season,” said Sillinger. “With the team we had, it kind of just seemed like we were in the thick of things and getting into the playoff mindset to play playoff hockey.”

Following the WHL’s shutdown in March, Sillnger went home to Saskatchewan to join his brothers Owen and Lukas who saw their respective seasons with Bemidji State (NCAA) and Penticton (BCHL).

Cole has only been able to recently get back on the ice after weeks in the gym, which he admits has been a strange adjustment being off skates for so long.

“It’s a little weird,” said Sillinger. “When you take that long off obviously you’re going to feel weird out there. But, it’s just nice to have the feel of the puck, actually fire the puck, and make some plays.”

Sillinger made a strong case for WHL rookie of the year with 22 goals and 53 points to finish fourth in the league’s first-year race, trailing behind only Michal Teply, Dylan Guenther, and Pavel Novak.

His season was shortened to just 48 games however, as he missed a 10-game stretch in February due to an upper-body injury and suited up for Team Canada White at the 2019 World U-17 Hockey Challenge at the Canalta Centre.

Earlier this month, Hockey Canada came calling once again as they named Sillinger to its U-18 roster for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

The tournament was supposed to have been Sillinger’s first IIHF sanctioned event, but the pandemic put the kibosh on the summer gathering of the world’s best U-18 hockey talent.

“It’s tough that tournament can’t be played,” said Sillinger. “But, I think it’s a nice thing for Hockey Canada to do to recognize the players that were going to be competing for a spot to play for their country.”

Sillinger starred at the World U-17 event last November with five goals in six games and was expected to be a favourite to make Team Canada.

He says it stings knowing the maple leaf will be a distant memory this summer, but is encouraged by Hockey Canada’s faith in him over the past year.

“I think we have a really strong ‘03 age group across the country,” he said. “So, anytime you have a chance to put that Canadian jersey on you know you are competing for a gold medal. That would have been special to be a part of, but what can you do?”

Sillinger’s next opportunity to represent Canada on the national stage will be at the 2021 IIHF World U-18 Hockey Championships, which were recently announced to take place in April in Plymouth and Ann Arbor, Michigan.

“With no Hlinka, that’s kind of the next step for me,” said Sillinger. “Obviously, the next step in the Hockey Canada process after Hlinka is the U-18’s and the World Juniors. So, that will for sure be my next sights in years to come.”

With the graduation of captain James Hamblin from the Tigers organization, the scoring baton will likely be passed to Sillinger ahead of his draft year in the fall.

Last week, the WHL announced its intention to play a full 68-game season regardless of when opening puck drop happens, aiming for that date to be around October 2.

Yet to play 50 games or more in a season in both minor hockey and his first year of junior, Sillinger is well aware that his endurance will be tested whenever hockey returns.

In that vein, he’s happy to see the WHL commit to a full slate of games with the goal of helping the development of the league’s younger players such as himself.

“At the pro level it’s 80 plus games, so if we were to play a full 68-game season it would be my first full season,” said Sillinger. “It would just prepare us that much and develop the younger guys for that long of a season, and really know what needs to be done.”

Sillinger will remain in Saskatchewan over the coming months to continue training on the ice and in the gym, with his top priority being improving his skating and explosiveness.

by Scott Roblin

Sillinger taking Team Canada nod in stride amid cancelled Hlinka Gretzky Cup

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