SILLINGER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
17-Year NHL Veteran Finishes His Career as an Islander
Wednesday, 08.26.2009 / 3:30 PM
/ News
New York Islanders
New York Islanders forward, Mike Sillinger has announced his retirement after playing in the National Hockey League for the past 17 seasons.
Originally drafted eleventh overall in the first round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, Sillinger played a total of 141 games for the Islanders the last three seasons. Sillinger also served as the team’s assistant captain while scoring 42 goals and 45 assists for 87 points.
“To play the sport of hockey, something I’ve had a passion for all my life, at the professional level for the past 17 years and to be able to support my family has been a dream come true,” said Sillinger. “From playing this game I have met some of my best friends and will cherish the memories we made forever.”
The Regina, SASK native holds the record for most teams played for in a career with twelve starting with the Red Wings in the 1990-91 season. He also skated for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, and the Islanders.
“Mike has and always will be a tremendous ambassador for this game,” said Garth Snow, General Manager, New York Islanders. “He is a born leader in everything he does and on behalf of the New York Islanders I wish him and his family the very best in the future.”
Throughout his career, Sillinger has played in 1,049 career games, scoring 240 goals and 308 assists for 548 points. His most prolific season was in 2005-06 when he scored 63 points in 79 games while splitting the year between St. Louis and Nashville.
Originally drafted eleventh overall in the first round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, Sillinger played a total of 141 games for the Islanders the last three seasons. Sillinger also served as the team’s assistant captain while scoring 42 goals and 45 assists for 87 points.
“To play the sport of hockey, something I’ve had a passion for all my life, at the professional level for the past 17 years and to be able to support my family has been a dream come true,” said Sillinger. “From playing this game I have met some of my best friends and will cherish the memories we made forever.”
The Regina, SASK native holds the record for most teams played for in a career with twelve starting with the Red Wings in the 1990-91 season. He also skated for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, and the Islanders.
“Mike has and always will be a tremendous ambassador for this game,” said Garth Snow, General Manager, New York Islanders. “He is a born leader in everything he does and on behalf of the New York Islanders I wish him and his family the very best in the future.”
Throughout his career, Sillinger has played in 1,049 career games, scoring 240 goals and 308 assists for 548 points. His most prolific season was in 2005-06 when he scored 63 points in 79 games while splitting the year between St. Louis and Nashville.
