Ryan Ellis
| Birthday: 1991-01-03 | Position: D |
| Eligible for draft: 2009 | Shoots: Right |
| Drafted: 2009 | Height: 5-10 |
| Acquired: 1st round (11th overall), 2009 | Weight: 180 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- C
History
2007-08: Ryan Ellis showed that he had what it takes to put up the number this season, recording 63 points (15g+48a) in as many games with the Windsor Spitfires (OHL). Five postseason games yielded another five points (2g+3a).
2008-09: Improved his numbers over last season, netting 22 goals and 89 points in 57 games- impressive for a D-man to say the least. Led team to an OHL championship this season, racking up 31 points (8g+23a) in just 20 postseason games. Selected to the Western Conference All-Star team in the OHL All-Star Classic.
2009-10: Ellis appeared in 48 regular season games with Windsor, socring 12 goals and 49 assists for 61 points to lead the defensemen in scoring. He added 3 goals and 30 assists for 33 points in 19 playoff games, again leading the blue line in points. The dynamic defenseman scored 5 assists in 4 Memorial Cup games as Windsor captured their second consecutive title. Ellis also served as an alternate captain for Canada's U20 team, scoring 1 goal, 7 assists in 6 games as Canada captured a silver medal. He played in the OHL's All-Star Classic, where he recorded 2 assists, and was honored on the league's Second All-Star Team at the end of the year.
2010-11: Ellis made his pro debut with the AHL Milwaukee Admirals after leading the Windsor Spitfires in scoring and skating for silver medal-winning Canada at the 2011 U20 World Junior Championship. Ellis joined the Admirals during the AHL playoffs and scored 1 goal with 1 assist in seven games. Ellis was the OHL's leading scorer amongst defensemen and tied Sarnia's Nail Yakupov for fourth overall with 24 goals and 77 assists in 58 games. He led the Spitfires with a +24 plus/minus and had 61 PMs and 10 power play goals. Ellis skated in all 18 playoff games as Windsor's quest for a third straight Memorial Cup came to an end against eventual champ Owen Sound in the OHL semifinals. He scored 6 goals with 13 assists and was +9 with 12 PMs in the playoffs. Ellis was team captain and the leading scorer for Team Canada; finishing with 3 goals and 7 assists with a +2 plus/minus and 2 PMs in seven games.
2011-12: Ellis made his NHL debut as a 20-year-old on December 26th in a game against Detroit and skated in 32 games for the Predators; shuttling between Nashville and its AHL affiliate Milwaukee in his first pro season. He scored 3 goals with 8 assists and was plus-five with 4 penalty minutes. He was with the Predators during the playoffs, skating in 3 of 10 games, and was plus-2 with no points or penalty minutes. In 29 games with the Admirals, who finished second in the AHL's North Division, he scored 4 goals with 14 assists and was plus-six with 18 penalty minutes.
Talent Analysis
The common refrain heard throughout the league is that if Ellis was just three inches taller, he'd be a sure-fire top-five selection. Unfortunately, in many ways, the NHL is a big man's league and Ellis' dynamic power-play quarterbacking abilities and offensive production may be overshadowed by his lack of height. Ellis has an outstanding shot from the point and is consistently able to jump-start the offense with a well-timed pass or breakout through the defensive zone. He has also worked on his defensive abilities (leading the team at plus-52) and has drawn praise for his effort and leadership.
Future
Ellis could start his second pro season at the AHL level with the Admirals while the NHL is locked out but should see playing time in the Predators' top-four defensemen. The offensively talented blueliner should get the opportunity to help run Nashville's power play with the loss of Ryan Suter this past off-season to the Minnesota Wild.
