By Scott Roblin

Tigers lock up top prospects Sillinger, Krebs following rookie camp

Jun 3, 2018 | 3:06 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Locking up their future, the Medicine Hat Tigers put pen to paper with two of their top prospects on Sunday following the conclusion of their Orientation Camp.

Forward Cole Sillinger and blueliner Dru Krebs signed their standard player agreements at the Canalta Centre, securing their places with the Tigers organization.

Both selected in this spring’s WHL Bantam Draft, Sillinger and Krebs were Medicine Hat’s top two picks and will be eligible to play full-time for the Tigers for the 2019-20 season.

Sillinger, the 11th overall pick in the Bantam Draft, is coming off a season with the Okanagan Hockey Academy Bantam Prep team where he totalled 46 goals and 83 points in just 30 games.

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Originally keeping his options open for the NCAA route while playing prep, he said he’s thrilled to commit to the Tigers organization.

“It’s probably the best feeling I’ve had ever in my life,” said Sillinger. “This is the next chapter of my life, and just feeling and knowing that I’m going to be a Tiger, it’s awesome.”

As for Krebs, he is the third member of his family to sign his standard players agreement, joining his older brothers Dakota and Peyton who play for Calgary and Kootenay, respectively.

Playing for his hometown Okotoks Bantam AAA Oilers this past winter, the Tigers second round pick potted seven goals and 17 points in 35 games from the blueline.

Limited to the Oilers AA squad the year before, Krebs said it’s humbling knowing he could be playing in the WHL in 18 months.

“It’s really surprising, especially knowing that I played bantam AA last year,” said Krebs. “Being able to actually play at the WHL level is a really cool honour.”

The tandem wowed the crowed at the Family Leisure Centre on Sunday morning for the Tigers’ annual Team Black vs. Team White scrimmage, combining for some magic on the power play.

Tigers head coach and GM Shaun Clouston said the duo formed some instant chemistry, which bodes well for Medicine Hat’s special teams in the future.

“You saw the puck skills,” said Clouston. “They can play with their heads up, they can move, they can look off plays to create openings and find the seams. So, I know Joe [Frazer] is pretty excited thinking about the power play down the road for sure.”

Playing each other throughout minor hockey, Sillinger said it was a great experience getting to sign his contract on the same day as his future teammate.

“We’ve been battling each other for ever now,” said Sillinger. “It was good to finally actually get to know him as a person, like [with] more chemistry with him.”

With the graduation of Mark Rassell, Kristians Rubins and Michael Bullion, along with David Quenneville and Mason Shaw pursuing pro hockey opportunities, there are some major holes to fill on the roster.

Clouston said it’s still early in the development process for both Sillinger and Krebs, but added they could be major building blocks in the years to come.

“Both of these guys look like they’d be close to playing this year, but we got to wait for another year,” said Clouston. “There’s lots that has to happen between now and then, but I think both of these guys have shown they’ll be ready to play.”

Sillinger, Krebs, and other Tigers prospects will be back in Medicine Hat in August to open up training camp ahead of the pre-season.