Ilnicki played for the Alberta Golden Bears of U Sports football from 2013 to 2017.
He won the Hec Crighton Trophy in 2017 as the best university football player that year.
[1] In 2017, he had 196 carries for a Canada West record 1,468 rushing yards along with 11 touchdowns as the Golden Bears qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
He was re-signed by the Redblacks on January 16, 2018 for the 2018 season, but was once again released following training camp on June 9, 2018 and was not signed by any other team.
[3][4] On July 7, 2019, Ilnicki announced his intention to pursue a rugby career with Rugby Canada after previously declining practice roster offers from CFL teams.