Player's Profile
- Name: Julien Ellis
- Position: G
- Catches: Left
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 177 lbs
- Birthdate: 1986-01-27
- Eligible for Draft: 2004
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Sorel, Quebec
- Acquired: 6th round (#189 overall), 2004
- Playing In: Pro
Julien Ellis
Prospect Grade: 6.0 D (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: Matt MacInnis
History
Aptly named for a goaltender, Julien Ellis-Plante played for Les Gaulois du College Antoine-Girard in triple-A hockey where his team won the Quebec Midget Championships tournament in 2002, along with being named the best goaltender in Quebec midget hockey. The QMJHL scouts took note, as the Shawnigan Cataractes drafted him in the first round of the QMJHL midget draft. Ellis-Plante played seven games in the QMJHL in 2002-03 behind starter Olivier Michaud, and finished off the season playing the Team Canada at the 2003 U-18 Junior World Cup, as well as winning the silver medal for Team Quebec at the 2003 Canada Winter Games.
The 2003-04 season was not only Ellis-Plante’s draft year, but also his first year as a starting goaltender in the QMJHL, and he did not disappoint. Playing in 59 games, he racked up 32 wins and was considered by many to be the top goaltender in the 2004 NHL draft. He was showcased to NHL scouts in the 2004 CHL Top Prospect game, one of only four goaltenders to play there. Still, Ellis-Plante fell a great deal in the NHL draft, falling to the sixth round when it was expected he would go in the second.
With such a nice package of technical skills and a solid attitude, it’s a wonder that Ellis-Plante fell as far as he did in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Talent Analysis
Like many other QMJHL goaltenders, Ellis-Plante does not attempt to re-invent the wheel and relies on emulating retired goaltender great, Patrick Roy. An exceptionally technical butterfly takes away much of the bottom part of the net below Ellis-Plante, and his quick legs can close up the five-hole or quickly snap the pad to make a save down low. As with many other butterfly goaltenders, he relies on his positioning and technique almost to a fault. He plays the percentages, and while this means he can sometimes go down too early like other butterfly goaltenders, What he does lack, however, is size. With many goaltenders in the NHL clocking it at 6’2 or 6’4, Ellis-Plante does not have the advantage of size between the pipes. However, to his credit, he makes up for this with his quick limbs, and is able to pick off pucks heading to the corners quickly. Yet through all this, he managed to remain a very calm presence. Not much seems to faze him, and he has a quiet confidence. However, Ellis-Plante could stand to do a little work on his puck movement, as he accidentally gives up the puck too much.
Future
While he still has a long way to go, he resembles a great many young, skilled goaltenders to come out of Quebec and make an impact in the professional leagues. How far he goes is up to him, but he has the technique and the skill to become an NHL starting goaltender.
Stats
Stats Coming Soon...
Profile Last Updated: April, 16th 2008
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