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The Blue Jackets signed two Monsters to NHL-level contracts this summer. Who are they?

While most of the hockey world has gone to sleep for the next two months, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell has made some moves in the past few weeks. Today, we'll look at the signings of two players to NHL-level contracts: Owen Sillinger and Cole Clayton.

By Mike Stump

Sep 24, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Owen Sillinger (76) celebrates with Cole Sillinger (4) after Owen scored a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Owen Sillinger (76) celebrates with Cole Sillinger (4) after Owen scored a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Owen Sillinger

Owen Sillinger backpedals in a game against the St. Louis Blues during the 2022 Preseason.
Sep 29, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets forward Owen Sillinger (76) in action against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports / Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The last name is a dead giveaway: Owen Sillinger is the older brother of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger. Owen grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan, the same hometown as his father: former fan-favorite Mike Sillinger, who played for the Blue Jackets from 2001 to 2003.

Following a standout U18 Junior career in Canada and spending time in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees, Owen committed to playing for Bemidji State University in Minnesota (NCAA), instead of continuing his hockey career in Canada.

While he went undrafted into the NHL, Owen stood out as a slightly undersized center in the NCAA. He posted a 51-64-115 line in four seasons with the team, finished the 2021-2022 season as the program's captain, and was one of 77 nominees for the Hobey Baker Award in 2022.

As a Collegiate free agent during the 2022 AHL season, Owen signed a one-year contract with the Blue Jackets AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, on May 25, 2022.

Owen has spent the last two seasons playing with the Monsters, where he has put up a 25-60-85 line in 158 games so far with the club. He also posted a 3-3-6 line during the 2024 postseason with Cleveland during their run to the AHL Eastern Conference Finals. Sillinger spent most of the postseason locked in as Cleveland's second-line center and performed more than admirably in that role during that run.

While he primarily plays center, Cleveland head coach Trent Voglehuber placed Sillinger at all three forward positions last season. He performed well no matter who he was paired with or where he was in the lineup, which suited Voglehuber's tendency to roll his lines just fine.

From my observations watching Monsters Hockey last season, Sillinger brings decent playmaking ability and is a great spark plug for any line needing to build energy and chemistry, especially late in the season.

Despite his slightly undersized 5'10", 183-pound frame, Sillinger plays with a physical edge that was especially noticeable during Cleveland's playoffs. He seemed to establish a rapport with just about every forward on Cleveland's roster last season, and he is my guess to take over at least an Alternate Captaincy with the team moving into the 2024-2025 season.

The Jackets signed Owen to a two-way NHL deal this summer. Still only 26, I do not doubt that Owen has the potential to carve himself out an NHL role down the line if he continues his upward trajectory with Cleveland. Even if he doesn't become an NHL regular, when Sillinger is called up, he will bring skills that will allow him to succeed during any NHL time he gets this upcoming season.

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