By Beaver Athletics
Published 9:28 am on January 10, 2025
Former Bemidji State University men's hockey forward Owen Sillinger made his National Hockey League debut on Thursday night, skating with the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Sillinger and the Blue Jackets defeated the Seattle Kraken 6-2.
🚨 ROOKIE LAP🚨
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 9, 2025
Owen Sillinger's ready to make his @NHL debut! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/jQ3LpTgC3X
Sillinger became the 10th Beaver to ever skate in an NHL game, joining Zach Whitecloud (at BSU from 2016-18), Brad Hunt (2008-12), Matt Read (2007-11), Matt Climie (2004-08), Andrew Murray (2001-05), Joel Otto (1980-84), Gary Sargent (1972-73), Dale Smedsmo (1969-72) and Jim McElmury (1967-71).
Sillinger, a Regina, Saskatchewan, native, wore No. 12 for the Blue Jackets, the same number he sported during his time with the Beavers. The center totaled 13:09 minutes of ice time over 16 shifts and recorded one block, one hit, two penalty minutes and went 2-for-5 on faceoffs.
At 27 years and 108 days old, Sillinger became the eighth-oldest player to make his NHL debut in Columbus franchise history. He's also the oldest BSU alum to make an NHL debut.
Sillinger skated with Bemidji State for four seasons from 2018-22 and served as the team's captain during the 2021-22 season that saw BSU reach the CCHA Mason Cup Championship game for the first time in program history. The two-time all-conference selection set the program's Division I single season points record with 47 during his senior season and finished his collegiate career tied for fourth in program history with 115 career points (51g-64a).
Following the 2021-22 season, Sillinger signed a contract with the Blue Jacket's American Hockey League affiliate Cleveland Monsters, where he has played for two complete seasons and 192 games.
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