Q & A WITH COLE SILLINGER
Medicine Hat, AB — Medicine Hat Tigers Prospect Cole Sillinger recently attended Hockey Canada’s Under 17 Development Camp.
The 16-year-old Regina, SK native was selected by the Tigers in the first round of the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft and he played in four regular season games as well as all six playoff games last season. He scored his first WHL playoff goal during game three against the Edmonton Oil Kings in Medicine Hat and he is the youngest Tiger to ever score during the post season.
Below Sillinger reflects on his experience with Hockey Canada.
Q. How did you feel when you found out you were invited to Hockey Canada’s Under 17 Development Camp?
Obviously, it was an event that was on my mind, and something that I really wanted to be apart of, so seeing my name being selected was a really cool feeling for my family and me.
Q. What can you tell us about your experience at the Camp?
The U17 Camp will be something that I’ll remember forever, I made many friendships and I think I improved as an athlete and as a person.
Q. How do you think you did at Camp?
There were some great players that were in Calgary. I used the camp as a development tool rather than a tryout because I think that took the stress off of me and allowed me to perform at my best!
Q. What is your biggest takeaway from the Camp?
My biggest takeaway from Camp is the importance of your preparation, not just in tournament or games, but leading up to it, and all the other aspects such as hydration, nutrition, rest and recovery.
Q. The U17 World Championships will be hosted by Medicine Hat & Swift Current, what will it mean to you have the support of the Medicine Hat fanbase if you compete in the tournament?
That’s something I have thought about as well, it would just be so surreal and a huge confidence builder for myself.
Q. What are the next steps for you?
To finish off my summer with hard training and on-ice skills and to come into [Tigers] Camp in midseason form.
Q. What are you looking forward to the most with this upcoming season?
To just finally have a chance to be apart of the Tigers full time. I had a taste of it last year, but to finally get into the WHL routine and the billet life and seeing the guys.
Sillinger will report to Tigers Main Camp later this month. Season tickets for the 50th anniversary season are on sale now.
