Ryan Ellis Named OHL Defenceman of the Year

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For the second time in Ryan Ellis’ career he has been awarded the Max Kaminsky Trophy for being the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenceman of the Year.  He led all defencemen in scoring and tied fourth overall in the OHL for points with 101 in 58 games.  He won this award also in the 2008-2009 season and with this honor, he has become the only the third OHL defencemen to win the award twice.

“It’s very exciting for me to win this award for the second time,” said Ellis.  “I’d like to thank all those who voted for me and to be named the OHL’s Top Defenceman with so many worthy candidates within our league is an honour and something that means a great deal to me personally.”

Ellis is third only defenceman to record over 300 career points with 314 career points in 226 games, following only Rick Corriveau with 329 points in 260 games.

“I’m not sure where you start with Ryan, he’s been a great ambassador for the Windsor Spitfires during his time with us and he’s competed at every level and on the biggest stages, winning every championship imaginable in junior hockey,” said Spitfires’ Head Coach Bob Jones.  “He’s led and represented our team exceptionally well, and in my opinion has been the top player in both the OHL and CHL this season.  What Ryan has done for our team and accomplished in the past four seasons is truly remarkable.  The Windsor Spitfires are very proud of what he’s accomplished, and he is a very deserving winner of the OHL’s Top Defenceman award this season.”

He was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft 11th overall and has recorded 30 multipoint games this season.  He scored a career high six point game during  a 7-1 victory over the Kitchener Rangers on January 28.

Ellis received an incredible 93 of a maximum 95 points in the voting process ahead of Ryan Murphy of the Kitchener Rangers who finished second with 47 points.  Dougie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs finished in third place with 15 points.

Ellis will be formally presented with the Max Kaminsky Trophy at the OHL Awards Ceremony which takes place on Wednesday June 8, 2011, at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.  He will also be the OHL’s nominee for CHL Defenceman of the Year.