The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed restricted free agent Cole Sillinger to a two-year, $4.5-million contract, the team announced Wednesday.
His deal has a $2.25 million AAV.
“Cole Sillinger is a very smart, two-way centre who competes extremely hard at both ends of the ice,” Waddell said in a statement released by the team. “He played over 200 NHL games before turning 21 and is coming off his best season, so we are looking forward to his continued growth as a player. He is going to be an important part of the present and future of this club.”
The 21-year-old centre posted a career-high 32 points (13 goals and 19 assists) in 77 games this past season.
Sillinger was drafted in the first round, 12th overall, by Columbus in 2021 and has recorded 74 points (32 goals and 42 assists) in 220 career games over three seasons.
He was born in Columbus when his father, Mike Sillinger, played for the Blue Jackets, and was raised in Regina.
Sillinger has represented Canada on the international stage and earned a silver medal at the 2022 world championship.