With the 12th pick in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft, the Columbus Blue Jackets selected center prospect Cole Sillinger.
Sillinger had a banner 2021 season, lighting up the USHL to the tune of 46 points in 31 games, the fourth-highest points-per-game rate in the league. Unsurprisingly, the center was named the league's rookie of the year.
What separates Sillinger from his peers is his elite wrist shot, particularly his ability to shoot in stride with a quick release that seems to catch goalies off guard. In the below highlight video (courtesy of SpecmenceCBJ), watch how he is able to quickly and compactly snap shots from distance that consistently beat USHL goalies. It is unlikely that he'll have the same success rate against pro goalies, so the challenge for Sillinger will be getting to better spots on the ice. This scouting report from EliteProspects really encapsulates what makes Sillinger shot unique.
His wrist shot release is especially potent, with a short draw, feet pointed at the net, adequate knee-bend, a hip-snap, his leg kicked back, and exploding from his chest. It’s a sight to behold.
Aside from his world-class shot, Sillinger is also a mature player, which he surely derived from his father, Mike, who played over 1,000 NHL games over 17 seasons with 12 different teams. Whereas fifth overall pick Kent Johnson may be the classic 'high-ceiling' player, Sillinger is a 'high-floor' player who still possesses tremendous upside.
Cole Sillinger is a steal for the Blue Jackets. Big time skill, big time production. Oh, and there's this: pic.twitter.com/HeS0hmBUTd
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) July 24, 2021
Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen gave this scouting report on the 12th overall pick:
"Instincts, hockey sense, character, those are all things that we value the most, and he has all of them. Everybody we've talked to says so many great things about his character. He's driven. He's a leader at a young age, and he already has a great work ethic. He's very competitive, so those are all the qualities we were looking for in a Blue Jacket."
Sillinger, who played for the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers in 2019-20 before the pandemic prompted a move to the USHL, is expected to be returned to the WHL for the upcoming season. But Blue Jackets fans may be seeing Sillinger at Nationwide Arnea sooner rather than later.
