Mike Sillinger
Encyclopedia
Mike Sillinger is the current Director of Player Development for the Edmonton Oilers
, and a retired Canadian ice hockey
player who played in the National Hockey League
(NHL) for 17 seasons. Sillinger was known as a "journeyman", having played for 12 different teams, as well as been traded nine times during his NHL career, both of which stand as league records (he is tied with Brent Ashton
for the latter record).
Originally drafted 11th overall in 1990
out of the Western Hockey League
(WHL) by the Detroit Red Wings
, Sillinger began his NHL career in Detroit before continuing on to play for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
, Vancouver Canucks
, Philadelphia Flyers
, Tampa Bay Lightning
, Florida Panthers
, Ottawa Senators
, Columbus Blue Jackets
, Phoenix Coyotes
, St. Louis Blues
, Nashville Predators
and New York Islanders
. Of these 12 teams, Sillinger has played full seasons with only Detroit, Vancouver, Columbus and New York. The rest of the teams, he was traded to or from during a season. During his tenure with Detroit, he captured a Calder Cup
championship in 1992
with the Adirondack Red Wings
, while leading the playoffs in scoring as an American Hockey League
(AHL) rookie.
Internationally, Sillinger represented Team Canada
on two occasions, winning a gold medal at the 1991 World Junior Championships
and captaining his country at the 2000 World Championships
.
After retirement, Sillinger was appointed Director of Player Development for the Edmonton Oilers
.
in the WHL
with the Regina Pats
in 1987-88
. After a 43-point rookie campaign, he emerged as a top prospect in the juniors in his second WHL season. With 53 goals and 131 points in 1988-89
, Sillinger led the Pats in scoring for the first of three consecutive seasons. The Detroit Red Wings
then made Sillinger their first-round pick, selecting him 11th overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft
. Upon being drafted, Sillinger returned to the Pats for two more seasons, where he posted 129- and 116-point campaigns to receive WHL Second and First All-Star Team honours in 1990 and 1991, respectively.
Following his 1990–91 season with the Pats, Sillinger was called up to the Red Wings roster, making his NHL debut in the final three games of the regular season, tallying an assist. He also appeared in three playoff games with Detroit that season, also accumulating one assist. The following season, in 1991–92
, Sillinger spent his professional rookie season in the American Hockey League
(AHL) with Detroit's minor league affiliate, the Adirondack Red Wings
, where he scored at an above-point-per-game pace with 66 points in 64 games. Despite being called up for eight games for Detroit's playoff run, Sillinger still went on to lead the AHL playoffs in scoring with 28 points in 15 games, winning the Calder Cup
championship with Adirondack.
Sillinger continued to spend time in the AHL with Adirondack at the start of the 1992–93 season
, but returned to and remained in the NHL later that season after scoring at a two-point-per-game pace in 15 games. After being called up to Detroit, he had his most prolific season with the club, scoring 29 points in 62 games. Due to the 1994–95 NHL lockout, Sillinger went abroad to play in the Austrian Hockey League
for EC Wien, where he tallied 27 points in just 13 games. When NHL play resumed, he appeared in 13 games for the Red Wings before being traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
on April 4, 1995 with Jason York
for Stu Grimson
, Mark Ferner
and Anaheim's 6th round choice in 1996 NHL Entry Draft
(used to select Magnus Nilsson
).
Sillinger remained in Anaheim the next season, but was immediately traded the following campaign in 1995-96
to the Vancouver Canucks
in exchange for Roman Oksiuta
on March 15, 1996. He played one full season with the Canucks in 1996-97
, managing 37 points, before being dealt away to the Philadelphia Flyers
midway through the 1997-98 season
for a fifth-round selection in 1998
on February 5, 1998.
Sillinger's stint with the Flyers began promising, scoring 22 points in the 27 games to close the season following his trade, but after managing just three assists in the first 25 games in 1998–99, he was dealt away to the Tampa Bay Lightning
midway through the campaign along with Chris Gratton
, in exchange for Mikael Renberg
and Daymond Langkow
on December 12, 1998. Sillinger, however, continued to struggle and tallied just 10 points with his new team for the remainder of the campaign for a combined 13 points between the Flyers and Lightning, a career-low.
He returned to form as he started the 1999–2000 season in Tampa Bay, scoring 44 points in 67 games with the Lightning. However, at the trade deadline, he was sent to the Florida Panthers
in exchange for Ryan Johnson and Dwayne Hay
on March 14, 2000. Sillinger returned to the Panthers to begin the following season, but was once again dealt at the trade deadline, this time to the Ottawa Senators
, marking his sixth trade in seven years.
In the 2001 off-season, Sillinger joined his eighth NHL team, the Columbus Blue Jackets
, but for the first time was not relocating via trade, instead, joining the Blue Jackets through free agency. In two seasons with the Blue Jackets, Sillinger recorded back-to-back 43-point campaigns. Following his second season in Columbus, Sillinger was traded twice on the same day on July 22, 2003. He was first sent to the Dallas Stars
with a second round draft choice in 2004
(Johan Fransson) for Darryl Sydor
before being dealt again from Dallas to the Phoenix Coyotes
for defenceman Teppo Numminen
. In his first season with Phoenix, however, he was dealt again at the trade deadline to the St. Louis Blues
for goaltender Brent Johnson
.
After finishing the 2003–04 season with the Blues, Sillinger remained inactive in 2004–05 due to the NHL lockout. When NHL play resumed in 2005–06, Sillinger broke the NHL record for teams played with, previously held by Michel Petit
and J. J. Daigneault, by joining the Nashville Predators
, again, at the trade deadline. He was traded from St. Louis in exchange for Timofei Shishkanov
on January 30, 2006. In his fourteenth NHL season, Sillinger set a career-high 63 points playing between St. Louis and Nashville after having recorded just 24 points the previous season between Phoenix and St. Louis.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent in the 2006 off-season, Sillinger joined his twelfth and final NHL team, the New York Islanders
, signing on July 2, 2006. He continued where he left off from his career season in 2005–06 with 59 points in his first season with the Islanders. Helping New York to the post-season, he set another NHL record by competing in the playoffs for his eighth NHL team. In 2007–08, Sillinger played in his 1,000th NHL game on November 1, 2007, versus the Tampa Bay Lightning
. His family joined him on ice for a pre-game ceremony honouring the achievement. Sillinger went on to tally an assist in the milestone game as the Islanders won 4–0. His second season with the Islanders was, however, cut short due to a hip injury that required microfracture surgery in February 2008. He finished the campaign with 26 points in 52 games.
Playing in his 17th NHL season in 2008–09
, Sillinger was met with further hip complications and underwent hip resurfacing surgery in February 2009, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. Due to the lingering hip complications, Sillinger announced his retirement from hockey on August 26, 2009.
, Saskatchewan
. He has three sons – Owen, Lukas and Cole – with his wife Karla, also of Regina. During Sillinger's NHL career, they spent the off-seasons in their hometown; they have chosen to remain in Regina following Sillinger's retirement.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
, and a retired Canadian ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player who played in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) for 17 seasons. Sillinger was known as a "journeyman", having played for 12 different teams, as well as been traded nine times during his NHL career, both of which stand as league records (he is tied with Brent Ashton
Brent Ashton
Brent Kenneth Ashton is a retired professional ice hockey player who spent fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League between 1979 and 1993...
for the latter record).
Originally drafted 11th overall in 1990
1990 NHL Entry Draft
The 1990 National Hockey League Entry Draft was the 28th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Vancouver Canucks at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on June 16, 1990...
out of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WHL) by the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
, Sillinger began his NHL career in Detroit before continuing on to play for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
, Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
, Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
, St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
, Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
and New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Of these 12 teams, Sillinger has played full seasons with only Detroit, Vancouver, Columbus and New York. The rest of the teams, he was traded to or from during a season. During his tenure with Detroit, he captured a Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
championship in 1992
1992 Calder Cup Playoffs
The 1992 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 7, 1992. The twelve teams that qualified, four from each division, played best-of-7 series for division semifinals and division finals...
with the Adirondack Red Wings
Adirondack Red Wings
The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
, while leading the playoffs in scoring as an American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) rookie.
Internationally, Sillinger represented Team Canada
Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada, formally known as the Canadian Hockey Association, is the national governing body of ice hockey in Canada and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions...
on two occasions, winning a gold medal at the 1991 World Junior Championships
1991 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 1991 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 15th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in various communities in Saskatchewan, Canada...
and captaining his country at the 2000 World Championships
2000 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
-World Championship Group A :Final standings# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # — relegated to Division I for 2001# -World Championship Group B :...
.
After retirement, Sillinger was appointed Director of Player Development for the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
.
Playing career
Sillinger began playing major juniorJunior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
in the WHL
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
with the Regina Pats
Regina Pats
The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:...
in 1987-88
1987-88 WHL season
The 1987–88 WHL season was the 22nd season for the Western Hockey League. Fourteen teams completed a 72 game season. The Medicine Hat Tigers won their second consecutive President's Cup and Memorial Cup.-League notes:...
. After a 43-point rookie campaign, he emerged as a top prospect in the juniors in his second WHL season. With 53 goals and 131 points in 1988-89
1988-89 WHL season
The 1988–89 WHL season was the 23rd season for the Western Hockey League. Fourteen teams completed a 72 game season. The Swift Current Broncos won the President's Cup before going on to win the Memorial Cup.- League notes :...
, Sillinger led the Pats in scoring for the first of three consecutive seasons. The Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
then made Sillinger their first-round pick, selecting him 11th overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft
1989 NHL Entry Draft
The 1989 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 17 at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. Some believe that the Detroit Red Wings' 1989 draft was the most successful ever, with 5,721 total NHL games played by the players selected.-Selections by round:...
. Upon being drafted, Sillinger returned to the Pats for two more seasons, where he posted 129- and 116-point campaigns to receive WHL Second and First All-Star Team honours in 1990 and 1991, respectively.
Following his 1990–91 season with the Pats, Sillinger was called up to the Red Wings roster, making his NHL debut in the final three games of the regular season, tallying an assist. He also appeared in three playoff games with Detroit that season, also accumulating one assist. The following season, in 1991–92
1991–92 AHL season
The 1991–92 AHL season was the 56th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns from divisions into three divisions, creating the new Atlantic division. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Fredericton Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season...
, Sillinger spent his professional rookie season in the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) with Detroit's minor league affiliate, the Adirondack Red Wings
Adirondack Red Wings
The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
, where he scored at an above-point-per-game pace with 66 points in 64 games. Despite being called up for eight games for Detroit's playoff run, Sillinger still went on to lead the AHL playoffs in scoring with 28 points in 15 games, winning the Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
championship with Adirondack.
Sillinger continued to spend time in the AHL with Adirondack at the start of the 1992–93 season
1992–93 AHL season
The 1992–93 AHL season was the 57th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Rangers finished first overall in the regular season with 124 points, a which holds to this day...
, but returned to and remained in the NHL later that season after scoring at a two-point-per-game pace in 15 games. After being called up to Detroit, he had his most prolific season with the club, scoring 29 points in 62 games. Due to the 1994–95 NHL lockout, Sillinger went abroad to play in the Austrian Hockey League
Austrian Hockey League
The Austrian Hockey League , called the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga for sponsorship reasons, is the highest-level ice hockey league in Austria.-History:...
for EC Wien, where he tallied 27 points in just 13 games. When NHL play resumed, he appeared in 13 games for the Red Wings before being traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
on April 4, 1995 with Jason York
Jason York
Jason Andrew York , is a former professional ice hockey player in the NHL. A defenceman, he last played for the Boston Bruins in the 2006–07 season.-Playing career:...
for Stu Grimson
Stu Grimson
A. Stuart Grimson is a former Canadian ice hockey forward. Grimson played in the National Hockey League from 1989 to 2002. During this time, he played for the Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings,...
, Mark Ferner
Mark Ferner
Mark E. Ferner is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Selected 194th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, Ferner also played for the Washington Capitals, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and Detroit Red Wings, playing a total of 94 regular season games, scoring 3 goals and 10...
and Anaheim's 6th round choice in 1996 NHL Entry Draft
1996 NHL Entry Draft
The 1996 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 22, 1996.- Selections by round :Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.- Round one :- Round two :...
(used to select Magnus Nilsson
Magnus Nilsson (ice hockey)
Magnus Nilsson is a forward for the Esbjerg fB hockey team in the Danish league.- Playing career :...
).
Sillinger remained in Anaheim the next season, but was immediately traded the following campaign in 1995-96
1995-96 NHL season
The 1995–96 NHL season was the 79th regular season of the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup winners were the Colorado Avalanche, who, in their first year as the Avalanche, swept the Florida Panthers in four games.-League business:...
to the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in exchange for Roman Oksiuta
Roman Oksiuta
Roman Nikolaevich Oksiuta is a retired Russian ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He played a total of 153 regular season games, scoring 46 goals and 41 assists for 87 points...
on March 15, 1996. He played one full season with the Canucks in 1996-97
1996-97 NHL season
The 1996–97 NHL season was the 80th regular season of the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup winners were the Detroit Red Wings, who swept the Philadelphia Flyers in four games and won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 42 years. The regular season saw a decline in scoring and rise in the...
, managing 37 points, before being dealt away to the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
midway through the 1997-98 season
1997-98 NHL season
-Stanley Cup Final:The 1998 Stanley Cup Final was played in the 105th year of the Stanley Cup. The series was played between the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings and the Eastern Conference champion Washington Capitals. The Red Wings were led by Captain Steve Yzerman, Coach Scotty...
for a fifth-round selection in 1998
1998 NHL Entry Draft
The 1998 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 27 at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. A total of 258 players were drafted.- Selections by round :Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.- Round one :- Round two :...
on February 5, 1998.
Sillinger's stint with the Flyers began promising, scoring 22 points in the 27 games to close the season following his trade, but after managing just three assists in the first 25 games in 1998–99, he was dealt away to the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
midway through the campaign along with Chris Gratton
Chris Gratton
Christopher A. Gratton is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who last played with the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League...
, in exchange for Mikael Renberg
Mikael Renberg
Mikael Renberg is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player, last playing for Skellefteå AIK in Elitserien. He spent ten seasons in the National Hockey League and eight in the Swedish Elitserien.-Playing career:...
and Daymond Langkow
Daymond Langkow
Daymond Randolph Langkow is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, fifth overall, of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft...
on December 12, 1998. Sillinger, however, continued to struggle and tallied just 10 points with his new team for the remainder of the campaign for a combined 13 points between the Flyers and Lightning, a career-low.
He returned to form as he started the 1999–2000 season in Tampa Bay, scoring 44 points in 67 games with the Lightning. However, at the trade deadline, he was sent to the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
in exchange for Ryan Johnson and Dwayne Hay
Dwayne Hay
Dwayne Hay is a Canadian ice hockey player who most recently played for the HC Alleghe of Serie A during the 2009-10 season.-NHL:...
on March 14, 2000. Sillinger returned to the Panthers to begin the following season, but was once again dealt at the trade deadline, this time to the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, marking his sixth trade in seven years.
In the 2001 off-season, Sillinger joined his eighth NHL team, the Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, but for the first time was not relocating via trade, instead, joining the Blue Jackets through free agency. In two seasons with the Blue Jackets, Sillinger recorded back-to-back 43-point campaigns. Following his second season in Columbus, Sillinger was traded twice on the same day on July 22, 2003. He was first sent to the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
with a second round draft choice in 2004
2004 NHL Entry Draft
The 2004 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is especially notable because it was the last NHL event to take place before the beginning of the lockout which canceled all the games scheduled for the 2004–05 NHL season.- Selections by round :Listed...
(Johan Fransson) for Darryl Sydor
Darryl Sydor
Darryl Marion Sydor is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He has won two Stanley Cups during his career; with the Dallas Stars in 1999 and with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004...
before being dealt again from Dallas to the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
for defenceman Teppo Numminen
Teppo Numminen
Teppo Kalevi Numminen is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League. He is currently an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres.-Playing career:...
. In his first season with Phoenix, however, he was dealt again at the trade deadline to the St. Louis Blues
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade...
for goaltender Brent Johnson
Brent Johnson
Brent Johnson is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
.
After finishing the 2003–04 season with the Blues, Sillinger remained inactive in 2004–05 due to the NHL lockout. When NHL play resumed in 2005–06, Sillinger broke the NHL record for teams played with, previously held by Michel Petit
Michel Petit
Michel Petit is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League from the 1982–83 NHL season to the 1997–98 NHL season. Upon his retirement Petit had played for a then-NHL record 10 different teams. This mark has since been surpassed by Mike Sillinger...
and J. J. Daigneault, by joining the Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, again, at the trade deadline. He was traded from St. Louis in exchange for Timofei Shishkanov
Timofei Shishkanov
Timofei Mikhailovich Shishkanov is a Russian professional ice hockey forward currently with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.-Playing career:...
on January 30, 2006. In his fourteenth NHL season, Sillinger set a career-high 63 points playing between St. Louis and Nashville after having recorded just 24 points the previous season between Phoenix and St. Louis.
Becoming an unrestricted free agent in the 2006 off-season, Sillinger joined his twelfth and final NHL team, the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, signing on July 2, 2006. He continued where he left off from his career season in 2005–06 with 59 points in his first season with the Islanders. Helping New York to the post-season, he set another NHL record by competing in the playoffs for his eighth NHL team. In 2007–08, Sillinger played in his 1,000th NHL game on November 1, 2007, versus the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
. His family joined him on ice for a pre-game ceremony honouring the achievement. Sillinger went on to tally an assist in the milestone game as the Islanders won 4–0. His second season with the Islanders was, however, cut short due to a hip injury that required microfracture surgery in February 2008. He finished the campaign with 26 points in 52 games.
Playing in his 17th NHL season in 2008–09
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
, Sillinger was met with further hip complications and underwent hip resurfacing surgery in February 2009, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. Due to the lingering hip complications, Sillinger announced his retirement from hockey on August 26, 2009.
Personal life
Sillinger was born and raised in ReginaRegina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
. He has three sons – Owen, Lukas and Cole – with his wife Karla, also of Regina. During Sillinger's NHL career, they spent the off-seasons in their hometown; they have chosen to remain in Regina following Sillinger's retirement.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
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| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... | A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... | Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... | PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1987–88 | Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:... |
WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
67 | 18 | 25 | 43 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 1988–89 | Regina Pats | WHL | 72 | 53 | 78 | 131 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Regina Pats | WHL | 70 | 57 | 72 | 129 | 41 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 2 | ||
| 1989–90 1989–90 AHL season The 1989–90 AHL season was the 54th season of the American Hockey League.Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Canadiens repeated finishing first overall in the regular season... |
Adirondack Red Wings Adirondack Red Wings The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
— | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1990–91 | Regina Pats | WHL | 57 | 50 | 66 | 116 | 42 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 4 | ||
| 1990–91 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1991–92 1991–92 AHL season The 1991–92 AHL season was the 56th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns from divisions into three divisions, creating the new Atlantic division. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Fredericton Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season... |
Adirondack Red Wings | AHL | 64 | 25 | 41 | 66 | 26 | 15 | 9 | 19 | 28 | 12 | ||
| 1991–92 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 1992–93 1992–93 AHL season The 1992–93 AHL season was the 57th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Rangers finished first overall in the regular season with 124 points, a which holds to this day... |
Adirondack Red Wings | AHL | 15 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 31 | 11 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 10 | ||
| 1992–93 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 51 | 4 | 17 | 21 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 62 | 8 | 21 | 29 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 13 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Anaheim Ducks The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 15 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | NHL | 62 | 13 | 21 | 34 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1996–97 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 78 | 17 | 20 | 37 | 25 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 48 | 10 | 9 | 19 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 27 | 11 | 11 | 22 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1998–99 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 25 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the... |
NHL | 54 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 67 | 19 | 25 | 44 | 86 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Florida Panthers Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the... |
NHL | 13 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2000–01 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 55 | 13 | 21 | 34 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 13 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2001–02 | Columbus Blue Jackets Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 80 | 20 | 23 | 43 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 75 | 18 | 25 | 43 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Phoenix Coyotes Phoenix Coyotes The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena.... |
NHL | 60 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | St. Louis Blues St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team is named after the famous W. C. Handy song "St. Louis Blues", and plays in the 19,150-seat Scottrade... |
NHL | 16 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 2005–06 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 48 | 22 | 19 | 41 | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Nashville Predators Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 31 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 | ||
| 2006–07 | New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 82 | 26 | 33 | 59 | 46 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2007–08 | New York Islanders | NHL | 52 | 14 | 12 | 26 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
New York Islanders | NHL | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 AHL season The 2008–09 AHL season is the 73rd season of the American Hockey League. 29 teams each played 80 games in the regular season, which ran from October 8 until April 12.-Team and NHL affiliation changes:... |
Bridgeport Sound Tigers Bridgeport Sound Tigers The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are an ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. It has been the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, who also own the franchise, since its inception, and use the same team colors as the parent Islanders do. The team is based in... |
AHL | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 1049 | 240 | 308 | 548 | 644 | 43 | 11 | 7 | 18 | 28 | ||||
Awards
- Named to the WHLWestern Hockey LeagueThe Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
Second All-Star Team in 1989–90. - Named to the WHL First All-Star Team in 1990–91.
External links
- Shooting Stars Foundation Official Charity Website
- Mike Sillinger Detroit Red Wings Player Profile