Sillinger began playing
major junior in the
Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Pats in
1987–88. After a 43-point rookie campaign, he emerged as a top prospect in the juniors in his second WHL season. With 53 goals and 131 points in
1988–89, Sillinger led the Pats in scoring for the first of three consecutive seasons. The
Detroit Red Wings then made Sillinger their first-round pick, selecting him 11th overall in the
1989 NHL entry draft. Upon being drafted, Sillinger returned to the Pats for two more seasons, where he posted 129- and 116-point campaigns to receive WHL Second and First All-Star Team honours in
1990 and
1991, respectively. Following his 1990–91 season with the Pats, Sillinger was called up to the Red Wings roster, making his NHL debut in the final three games of the regular season, tallying an assist. He also appeared in three playoff games with Detroit that season, also accumulating one assist. The following season, in
1991–92, Sillinger spent his professional rookie season in the
American Hockey League (AHL) with Detroit's minor league affiliate, the
Adirondack Red Wings, where he scored at an above-point-per-game pace with 66 points in 64 games. Due to the lingering hip complications, Sillinger announced his retirement from hockey on August 26, 2009. ==Personal life==