Getting to know the Windsor Spitfires: Ryan Ellis

Ryan Ellis

 

5. SKILLS COMPETITION CRAZYNESS
It didn't go in, but it looked amazing.

4. ELLIS SEALS THE DEAL
Many people remember the Spitfires three goals on three shots to chase Mark Guggenberger from the Memorial Cup Final, but it was a Ryan Ellis' blast that ended Kelowna's hopes of regaining momentum with a scorching shot from the blueline to make the final 4-1.

3. GAME ONE LONDON SERIES
The buildup for Windsor-London in the Western Conference Finals could've been put in the pocket schedules it was so obvious, but nobody expected an epic five game five overtime series. It started with a bang in Windsor, as London took a 3-1 lead into the second intermission. Ellis would rally the troops by putting a Rob Kwiet pass past Trevor Cann on the powerplay to put the Spits within one. Andrei Loktionov's powerplay goal a minute later tied the game, and in overtime the penalties would once again be the Knights demise as Ellis blasted a Loktionov pass through Cann to give the Spitfires a 1-0 series lead.

 

2. KICK SAVE
Ellis makes an incredible foot save at the blueline!!

1. 15 MONTH HARDWARE SPREE
Starting with the 2008 OHL Scholastic Player of the Year award along with a First Team Rookie All-Star selection, Ellis was selected to the U-18 tournament in Russia, and won gold with Canada. After a shortened summer, he suited up again for his country and brought home a successive gold in the Memory of Ivan Hlinka Tournament. His 2008-09 regular season garnered him a First Team All-Star selection as he led all defenceman in points, led the league in assists, was second to defensive teammate Rob Kwiet for league plus/minus, was named to the Canada/Russia Super Series as well as both a starter in the OHL All-Star Game and the CHL Top Prospects Game. Inevitably, he won OHL Defenceman of the Year. He also made Team Canada in the World Juniors and shone on the powerplay, and made the key pinch on Jordan Eberle's game tying goal in the semis against Russia. Ellis would be a key player on the Spitfires run to an OHL title, and was on the Memorial Cup All-Star Team after the Spitfires beat Kelowna in the final. Not bad at all.

 

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