Former Red Wing Mike Sillinger Retires

Mike Sillinger announced his retirement during a press conference today.  Sillinger was drafted 11th overall in the 1989 draft by the Detroit Red Wings and spent his first six seasons playing with the Red Wings and Adriondack, a former minor league affiliate. Sillinger will forever be overshadowed as a Wing because he was drafted ahead of future superstars Nicklas Lidstrom and Sergei Federov as well as Dallas Drake and Vladimir Konstantinov, all of whom went on to win at least on Stanley Cup with the franchise, multiple cups being won by Lidstrom and Federov.

He went on to be traded 9 times total in his career (tied for most in NHL history) and played for 12 teams total making him the ultimate journeyman in NHL history.  He played for the Wings, 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 played the final three seasons of his career with the New York Islanders.  His final season was ended prematurely by a hip injury. 

He finished his 1,049 game career with 240 goals, 308 assists, and 548 points total.