Owen Sillinger Bio
Owen Sillinger is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on September 23, 1997, in Vancouver, British Columbia, he began his professional career in 2022 and has continued to develop within the Blue Jackets organization. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 183 pounds, Sillinger is recognized for his skating ability and two-way play.
Although he went undrafted, Sillinger has worked his way into a professional role by combining strong collegiate production with reliable minor league performance. He currently resides in Regina, Saskatchewan, and represents the next generation of a family with deep ties to the NHL.
Early Life and Background
Owen Sillinger was born on September 23, 1997, in Vancouver, British Columbia, while his father was playing for the Vancouver Canucks. Shortly after his birth, his family moved several times across North America as his father continued his journeyman career in the NHL. The family briefly lived in Phoenix, Arizona, St. Louis, Missouri, and Garden City, New York, reflecting the stops his father made with the Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, and New York Islanders.
Despite those early moves, Sillinger ultimately grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, the city he still considers home. He is the oldest son of Karla, née Dreger, and former NHL forward Mike Sillinger. The hockey environment in his household, combined with his father’s long professional career, gave Owen early and consistent exposure to the game at its highest levels.
Sillinger has two younger brothers who also play hockey. Cole Sillinger is a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, while Lukas skates with Arizona State University. With three brothers pursuing hockey at competitive levels, the Sillinger family has built one of the more recognizable hockey lineages in the sport.
Path to Hockey
Sillinger pursued his development through the Canadian youth hockey system before moving on to the collegiate ranks. He went undrafted by NHL teams, which meant his path to the professional level required him to prove himself through the U.S. college game. His commitment to Bemidji State University gave him a platform to grow as a forward and to prepare for the demands of professional hockey.
At Bemidji State, Sillinger played in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, where he spent four seasons developing his offensive game and his defensive responsibility. The collegiate experience allowed him to mature physically and tactically, setting the stage for his transition to professional hockey after his senior year.
Owen Sillinger Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Sillinger enrolled at Bemidji State University in 2018 and competed for the Beavers men’s hockey program through the 2021–22 season. Over the course of his four-year collegiate career, he established himself as a dependable contributor at the NCAA Division I level, even though he never heard his name called at the NHL Draft.
Following the conclusion of his senior season, Sillinger signed an AHL contract with the Cleveland Monsters on March 25, 2022. That agreement marked his official entry into professional hockey and connected him to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization as an undrafted free agent.
Cleveland Monsters Era (2022–2024)
Sillinger’s first full professional seasons came with the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Over two productive campaigns in Cleveland, he adjusted to the pace and physicality of professional hockey while continuing to refine his offensive game. His steady production helped establish him as a trusted depth forward within the organization.
During his time with the Monsters, Sillinger demonstrated the kind of two-way reliability that organizations look for in a developmental forward. His work ethic and consistency on both ends of the ice laid the groundwork for an NHL opportunity.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2024–Present)
On July 1, 2024, Sillinger signed a one-year, two-way contract with NHL affiliate the Columbus Blue Jackets, a significant step in his professional trajectory. The deal reflected the organization’s confidence in his development and positioned him as a player ready to push for NHL ice time.
In the 2024–25 season, Sillinger continued his tenure on reassignment with the Monsters before receiving his first NHL recall. He made his NHL debut in a regular-season match against the Seattle Kraken on January 9, 2025. That debut marked a long-awaited milestone for an undrafted player who had steadily climbed through the ranks.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sillinger is recognized for his skating, his work ethic, and his willingness to play a responsible two-way game. Listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 183 pounds, he relies on speed and hockey sense rather than size to create offense. His ability to contribute in all situations makes him a flexible option for coaches at both the AHL and NHL levels.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone of Sillinger’s career to date came on January 9, 2025, when he made his NHL debut against the Seattle Kraken. That appearance fulfilled a career-long goal following his undrafted path, four years of college hockey, and two seasons in the AHL.
Owen Sillinger Career Wins
As a developing professional, Sillinger’s career is still in its early stages, and detailed win totals at the professional level are not yet broadly available in verified sources. His most celebrated individual milestone remains his NHL debut with the Columbus Blue Jackets in January 2025.
Professional Highlights
Sillinger joined the Cleveland Monsters midway through the 2021–22 season and went on to play two productive AHL seasons before earning his first NHL contract. His progression from an undrafted college free agent to an NHL deal with the Blue Jackets stands as the headline accomplishment of his professional résumé.
Owen Sillinger Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
The Sillinger family has a strong presence in professional hockey. Owen’s father, Mike Sillinger, played 17 seasons as a journeyman forward in the NHL, suiting up for several franchises across the league. Owen’s mother, Karla Dreger, has been a steady presence in the family throughout his career.
Owen is the oldest of three hockey-playing brothers. Cole Sillinger is also part of the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, while Lukas Sillinger plays at the collegiate level for Arizona State University. The three brothers represent one of the more recognizable family pipelines in modern hockey.
Personal Life
Owen Sillinger was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, but grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, where he continues to make his residence. He has not publicly disclosed information about a spouse or children. His personal life remains closely tied to his family and his ongoing professional hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
Sillinger’s 2024–25 season has been defined by his transition from full-time AHL contributor to NHL player. After spending the early portion of the campaign with the Cleveland Monsters, he received his first recall to the Columbus Blue Jackets and made his NHL debut on January 9, 2025, against the Seattle Kraken.
That debut marked a defining moment in his season and validated the organization’s decision to sign him to a one-year, two-way contract in July 2024. With a contract that runs through the 2024–25 season, Sillinger has an opportunity to prove he can remain an NHL regular and earn a longer-term commitment from Columbus.
Looking ahead, Sillinger is expected to compete for a steady role within the Blue Jackets lineup while continuing to develop his offensive production at the NHL level. His progress through the 2025 calendar year will likely determine whether he secures an extended place in Columbus or continues to split time between the NHL and AHL. As an undrafted player who has steadily earned each opportunity, Sillinger’s 2025 trajectory remains one of the more encouraging development stories in the Blue Jackets system.
