Mike Sillinger joins the Pats again

[patsdude114]

Regina, Saskatchewan – The Regina Pats Hockey Club announced today the hiring of alumni Mike Sillinger into the role of Scouting and Recruitment, providing additional resources and experience to the Pats’ Hockey Operations Department.

“I'm thrilled to be a Regina Pat again and part of an organization I've always been passionate about,” commented Mike Sillinger. “With my hockey knowledge and ability to understand what it takes to get to the next level, I hope I can be a positive influence and bring many tools to the current prospects. My family and I enjoy being part of the community and know it will be a good fit.”

Sillinger spent the previous four seasons with the Edmonton Oilers as the NHL club’s Director of Player Development where he worked with Oilers prospects in the AHL and ECHL as well as draft picks in the college and junior ranks.

“Mike’s experience as an NHL player and Director of Player Development with the Oilers adds a valuable resource to our Hockey Operations Department,” said Regina Pats President Todd Lumbard. “As a former star player in this organization and a resident of Regina, Mike is well positioned to assist the Pats in attracting and retaining top talent for years to come.”

In his playing days, Sillinger spent four seasons with the Pats, wearing the Blue and White from
1987-1991. Over that time, the Regina native became the Pats’ second all-time leading scorer with 419 points (178G, 241A) in 266 games played. One of the members of the famed, “Pup Line”, Sillinger was drafted 11th Overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. After splitting his first professional seasons between the Red Wings and their AHL affiliate, Sillinger went on to an 18 year NHL career with 12 teams. Sillinger played in 1,049 games while tallying 240 goals and 308 assists. In recognition of his accomplishments in junior and the NHL, the Pats retired Sillinger’s number 16 in 2011.

“Mike is a local guy with lots of experience in hockey and lots of passion for the Pats,” added Regina Pats Senior VP of Hockey Operations John Paddock. “He’s involved in the community and with players who are coming up for the draft down the road and we feel he can provide us with added insight.”

The Pats start out a four game home stand this weekend with games Saturday and Sunday against Prince Albert and Red Deer at the Brandt Centre. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.ca, the Brandt Centre Box Office and Safeway locations throughout Regina. For more information on discounts for groups of twenty or more, call 306-337-1538.

[patsdude114]

Sillinger's first job is to show up in West St. Paul, MB at Liam Schioler's parents house and sit down and work out what it will take to get his commitment to the Regina Pats organization.

Then to head to Barrhead, AB and talk with the Koberstein's about Nikolas joining the team as well ;)

I know the 2nd part is prob all and forgotten already but if somehow Mike can get the Habs on board with it as well then there could be a chance..... ha us Pats fans can dream of adding a guy like Koberstein to our roster without costing us a single thing. Just think 6'2 200lbs Dman drafted in the 5th round. Who is currently playing in the USHL and has played 1 game so far, only thing about the USHL if I recall is that league doesn't effect NCAA rights

[chopper]

I sure hope this works out the way the owners envision it. Paddocks sums it up when he says they hope he can provide some "added insight". They have a very good scouting staff in place and I hope the owners don't "fubar" this aspect of the organization.

As long as the reporting lines are clear and it yields the desired results the organization wins. Kamloops have tried recycling former players through their organization with minimal results. Don Hay will do more for them than anyone else.

Did Mike quit the Oilers to take on this gig? At any rate being 25 years removed from junior hockey will present him with some challenges. The game is faster and run a lot different than back in the 80's. I think he played about the same time as McKechnie.

I'm not a big fan of these alumni love-ins as they seldom spawn anything that's close to excellence. I much preferred the Portland model but it is what it is! I endured the Parker days so anything has to be better…..or does it?

[patsdude114]

Mike is still really informed on the junior game itself, his gig with the Oilers had him working with a lot of younger players already so a few years younger isn't going to be a huge adjustment just like Paddock and he has always said hockey is hockey and I fully agree with him on that.

I guess all we can do is wait and see over the next couple of years of how this is all going to turn out but early on things are looking positive. If you surround yourself with good hockey people the rest should follow suit, Paddock is the start of it followed by his assistants and now Mike Sillinger who has been involved in the NHL game already himself so that's yet again another good hockey mind in the mix.

[Thatshockey1965]

My concern is simply how he interacts with the scouting staff. Mcmullen as done an excellent job. Now is not the time to mess that up.

I have heard he did and excellent job with the oilers and there younger players on a mentorship basis. That would be valuable for all the young players.

[RWAH]

My 2 cents:
Cent 1: Very positive the new ownership is placing improtance and resources on player developement. Think they could not have hired a better person for player developement. Experienced with the Oilers and the Pat Cs
Cent 2: Surprised the announcement did not come from the Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations (Johm Paddock). His comment that Mike should be of some help speaks volumns that it was not his hire. Hope there is not a structural flaw the the ship
Again very. very pleased the direction is to develope from within: as we all know successful franchises are built from the draft and developement. Only Kelly McCrimmon can build an elite team via the trade block and when Robson gets the boot that may stop.

[patsdude114]

there was a very good article in the paper today on this and Paddock spoke very highly of Sillinger even said he tried to trade for him when he was in Winnipeg. Sillinger took part in a Pats practice earlier in the year as well helping the centers with faceoff tips. I def believe Sillinger will take part in practices throughout the year at times as well, he brings a lot to the organization alumni or not.

One nice thing about it is Mike gets to work directly with a Pats prospect every day who had a very good showing in camp in Woods with the Pat C's since Sillinger is an assistant coach with the Pat C's as well.

[chopper]

Mike was of the best face-off men the NHL has ever seen. If he can help in that area it would be good as we have been woeful for years. If you start with the puck it makes a big difference.

He will make a difference if he knows his mandate and works within it. Things are never as bad as they seem, and are never as good as they seem. It's helpful to have some additional input, provided it does't interfere with the head scouts work and direction.

This is the structure they have chosen to put in place. All we can do is hope it delivers the results that everyone so badly wants. Time will tell.

[RWAH]

Just read the Leader post and it seams like Paddock is on board and could have iniciated this hire, so my cent 2 posted earlier is a little skewed.
As Chopper says "interesting times and only time will tell"
IMO the ownership is putting time, effort and resources to building an elite franchise from within. From the draft, recruitment and developement. Looking forward to the next few years and beyond.

[patsdude114]

IMO the ownership is putting time, effort and resources to building an elite franchise from within. From the draft, recruitment and developement. Looking forward to the next few years and beyond.

Its sure looking better then what's happening in Saskatoon

[Crofter]

Mike is still really informed on the junior game itself, his gig with the Oilers had him working with a lot of younger players already so a few years younger isn't going to be a huge adjustment just like Paddock and he has always said hockey is hockey and I fully agree with him on that.

I guess all we can do is wait and see over the next couple of years of how this is all going to turn out but early on things are looking positive. If you surround yourself with good hockey people the rest should follow suit, Paddock is the start of it followed by his assistants and now Mike Sillinger who has been involved in the NHL game already himself so that's yet again another good hockey mind in the mix.

What I like is that the Pats staff can easily talk to young incoming players about NHL dreams. Paddock and Sillinger both had good NHL careers on and off the ice, and can easily make the case that they know what it takes to get a player there.