Cory Stillman

First things first. Cory Stillman, the prospect, is the second cousin of the NHLer by the same name. Stillman, the prospect, is a smooth skater who could use a little more acceleration. He's patient with the puck and doesn't panic in key situations. If there is one area that needs improvement, it's that he could make better use of his 6-foot-2, 204-pound frame to take opponents out of the play rather than stickchecking them. "He's smart and not afraid, but he did not use his size," said a scout. "But what concerns me is he did not compete as well as he should. He did not fight through checks. You want to see guys that size use it more." Stillman, who more than doubled his goal output from a year ago, started the season slowly, had a good second half and shone down the stretch. "He did not play hard enough all season," said an NHL director of player personnel. "I wish he would show more."

The following is taken from the OHL 1999-00 Yearbook:

First-round pick (fifth overall) has a huge offensive upside. Sees the ice extremely well and already is being used on both special teams. Scored in first OHL game.

The following is taken from the OHL 2000-01 Yearbook:

Turned in a solid second half for the Frontenacs during his rookie season last year. Has the size and offensive tools to be a force. NHL scouts are keeping watch. Shoots left. Wears number 6 for the Frontenacs. Drafted 5th overall by Kingston in the 1999 OHL priority selection.

The following is taken from the OHL 2001-02 Yearbook:

Kingston's go-to guy on attack capable of putting up big numbers when he uses his size. Fourth-round pick of the New York Islanders. A team leader.

Central Scouting Report:

A big, smooth-skating center with deceptive speed and acceleration. Possesses very sound offensive skills and hockey sense. Is patient with puck and is an effective passer. A cool player who looks for the right opportunity. Has a very heavy shot with a quick release. Has the ability to rush the puck end-to-end. Is very aware of his defensive responsibilities and is effective at blocking shots. Is often used on the power play. Needs to take advantage of his size and strength. Has consistently improved over the course of the season.

Miscellaneous Stats & Accomplishments:

With the Jr. A Lindsay Muskies in 1998-99, he was rookie of the year. He played for Team Ontario in the under-17 2000 World Hockey Challenge in Timmins, capturing a silver medal. Was a teammate of Islanders' 2001 6th round selection G Andy Chiodo. Played for Canada's gold-medal teams in the under-18 2000 Four Nations tournament in Slovakia. Kingston's rookie of the year in 1999-00. Finished 11th in team scoring. Tallied two assists for Team Orr at the 2001 CHL/NHL Top Prospects game in Calgary. Finished fifth in team scoring with Kingston in 2000-01. Posted a four game scoring streak from Dec. 3-10 (4-6-10). Posted two points (2-0-2 in 4 games) in the playoffs as Kingston was defeated by Belleville (4-0) in the first round. Named Kingston's Scholastic Player of the Year.

Quotes:

"Stillman possesses a great shot, soft hands and skill for a big man. He's a character guy on the ice and in the dressing room." -- Greg Bignell, assistant coach, Kingston Frontenacs. "Stillman is a pretty dynamic power forward. He's strong on the puck, he's big and he uses his size well down low." -- Bignell, after drafting Stillman, June 7, 1999. "I like to bang, to get physical and to get in front of the net and play tough." -- Stillman.

Isles Info:

The Islanders scouting staff were surprised to still see Stillman available in the fourth round because he was originally slated to go in the second round. Rated 19th overall among North American players on Central Scouting's final rankings, was rated 30th at midseason. Stillman has good size and has already shown good offensive skills with 29 goals in 2000-01. He will be counted on for more next year. 40 goals would be a nice improvement.

2001-02 Update:

Stillman missed 19 games due to inflammation of the pelvic bone. The injury was first believed to be a pulled groin. Stillman missed the first game of the OHL season while attending training camp with the Islanders. Also, he suffered through a sore shoulder early in the season. He still finished tied for the team lead in assists with 27 and also notched 2 short handed goals. Was held scoreless in a one game qualifier against North Bay. Kingston lost their last four games of the season and ended up in an eighth place tie with the Centennials. Instead of a first round matchup between Stillman and Andy Chiodo's Toronto-St. Michael's Majors, North Bay advanced.

Skating and acceleration have been recent noted areas that he needs to improve on. 2002-03 is a make or break season for Stillman where the Islanders are concerned. If he is not signed before June 2003 he could re-enter the draft, and with his limited performance getting re-drafted may be asking too much. 

2002-03 Update:

Stillman’s status remains unclear

By Doug Graham
KINGSTON WHIG-STANDARD

September 30, 2002

Fourth-year forward Cory Stillman said it will be at least a couple more weeks before he resumes practicing with the Kingston Frontenacs.

Stillman made the announcement yesterday prior to the Frontenacs’ 7-3 win over the Ottawa 67’s. Stillman, 19, continues to be bothered by a soreness in his lower abdominal area that is more pronounced after he skates.

“I skated hard [Saturday] and I had soreness by then end. I don’t want to play when I’m sore,” said Stillman, who has been receiving treatment by Peterborough doctors while he remains at home in Lindsay.

“It’s still going to be awhile. It could be a couple of weeks, it could be another month. I really don’t know. All I can do is continue to get treatments.”

Stillman, who has 56 goals in 177 career Ontario Hockey League games, the most of any Frontenac, said it’s frustrating not being able to get on the ice to help his team.

“I know they’re expecting a lot from me. I’m going to have to lead by example when I come back,” said Stillman, who also missed 18 games last season in an injury-plagued year. He scored 14 goals, after a 29-goal year in the 2000-2001 season.

Stillman, who missed all of training camp and couldn’t attend the National Hockey League camp of the New York Islanders because of the nagging injury from last season, had indicated a few weeks ago he expected to resume practicing with the team by the start of October. Saturday’s skate convinced him that timing was too optimistic.

Stillman named Fronts’ captain

By Doug Graham
KINGSTON WHIG-STANDARD

November 7 , 2002

Cory Stillman will be sporting the captain’s ‘C’ when he plays his first home game of the season for the Kingston Frontenacs tonight.

The 19-year-old Stillman was selected team captain after yesterday’s practice at the Memorial Centre.

“I’m happy. It’s an honour,” said Stillman, who will have Rob McBride and Anthony Stewart as assistant captains.

Larry Mavety, coach and director of hockey operations, waited until Stillman was healthy enough to resume playing before announcing the new captain, the 27th in the 30-year history of the franchise. Stillman was an assistant captain last year.

Stillman missed the first 14 games of this season with an abdominal muscle pull.

“I think it’s good. [Cory] has been here for four years. He knows the club,” Mavety said.
“Injuries sort of tied him up last year but before that [2000-01 season], he had great year.”

Mavety also left it open for one or two more assistant captains to be named.

“We’re going to wait and see who else steps up,” Mavety said.

first-round pick

Stillman, who came to Kingston as a first-round pick in the 1999 draft, had a career-best 29 goals and 56 points in his sophomore season. He was drafted in 2001 by the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders. In three Ontario Hockey League seasons with Kingston, Stillman has 56 career goals.

Stillman was with the Frontenacs while Mike Zigomanis was the captain for two years and last season under Andrew Ianiero. He wants to bring some of their style mixed with his own.

“You always look at the people who have been captains before you. Ziggy was a huge leader on the ice,” said Stillman, adding that Ianiero was more of a vocal captain in the dressing room.

“A big part [of being captain] is the leadership. For us, it means helping to get the ball rolling. All the older guys have to step up and be leaders for the younger players.”

Stillman said finally getting back in the team’s lineup last Friday in Ottawa, and now being named captain, has made it a big week for him.

“The big thing for me is that I’m starting to play again. It’s pretty well been eight months away,” said Stillman, who has missed 34 games since last December.

“I’ve been watching the team for 14 games and not playing. That was tough,” said Stillman, a Lindsay native.

scoring range

The 6-foot-2, 211-pound centre didn’t take long to find the scoring range. He scored twice in his second game, a 4-3 loss to the St. Michael’s Majors.

“I was tired after the Ottawa game but I was feeling twice as good in Toronto,” said Stillman, who will play at centre tonight between Chris Cook and Stewart.

“The big thing for us is to go out and work together as a team. Everybody has to play together,” Stillman said.

“Once we’re doing that, we’ll get some wins and some confidence and we’ll be on a roll.”

Stillman out for three games

By Doug Graham
KINGSTON WHIG-STANDARD

December 5 , 2002

The Frontenacs will be without Stillman, the team’s captain, for at least the next three games.

Stillman will be out longer with a broken rib and a couple of other bruised ones.

“I’ve been told two weeks without any contact and then to see how I feel after that,” said Stillman, who missed the first 14 games of the Frontenacs’ season with an abdominal muscle pull.

Jr. A