Next season Okanagan Hockey Academy players will get help working on their skill by retired NHLer Mike Sillinger.
It was announced today that the Okanagan Hockey Group has Sillinger as a skills coach for next season.
“I am very excited to have this opportunity to coach these elite athletes at OHA,” said Sillinger in a press release. “This is a new hockey experience and challenge for me and OHA is one of the best academies to work with as their entire staff does a fantastic job in providing excellence for these athletes. My son, Cole, and I are honoured to be joining OHA and we are looking forward to the 2017-18 season.”
Sillinger, whose son Owen plays for the Penticton Vees, played 18 season in the NHL where he tallied 548 points (240-308-548) in 1049 regular season games. The Regina, Sask. product added another 18 points (11-7-18) in 43 post-season contests.
Sillinger, 45, was the Director of Player Development for the Edmonton Oilers from 2008-2015, while also serving as an assistant coach with the Regina Pat Canadians of the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League from 2013-2017, helping the team to a pair of Telus Cup appearances.
Vice-President Dixon Ward announced today that former NHL forward Mike Sillinger has joined the Okanagan Hockey Academy as a Skills Coach for the 2017-18 season.
“We are very excited to have someone with Mike’s playing and coaching experience join our program,” said OHG vice-president Dixon Ward. “He adds another element to our program and solidifies the experienced and high level coaching staff we already have in place.”
Sillinger won a Calder Cup with the Adirondack Red Wings, while also leading the AHL in scoring during the playoffs. He also represented Canada on the international stage on two occasions, the first coming in 1991 when he won a gold medal at the World Junior Championship, and the second in 2000 when he captained Canada at the World Championships.