Ellis, who was in his fourth season with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s (QMJHL) Screaming Eagles and second year as team captain, had heard some rumours of trades being negotiated. So it didn’t come as a great surprise to him when he learned on Dec. 30 that the Screaming Eagles dealt him to another QMJHL team.
“I was notified after I got off the ice, after the game in Halifax,” said the 19-year-old son of Glen and June Ellis of East Bideford.
The coach pulled him aside and broke the news to Ellis that he was being sent to the Cataractes for a forward and two draft picks. The coach then went into the dressing room and informed the team their captain was moving on.
“It was emotional,” Ellis acknowledged of the goodbyes. “They wished me good luck.”
A 2010 fourth-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens, Ellis said he’s sure the NHL team is happy to have him playing closer to its base and with a Memorial Cup-bound team.
“It’s big,” said the steady defenceman of the opportunity to play in the Memorial Cup. “It’s a tough tournament to get to, and tough to win.”
The champions of the Quebec, Ontario and Western Hockey Leagues, plus the host team, will play for Canada’s major junior hockey championship in May.
It is an opportunity he would not likely have had with Cape Breton.
With 33 points in 39 games, the Screaming Eagles currently sit in fifth place in the QMJHL’s Maritime Division, ahead only of the P.E.I. Rocket.
Ellis said the Screaming Eagles have been victims of some unlucky breaks. He’s confident they will rebuild into a strong contender over the next two years.
In 3 1/2 seasons with Cape Breton, Ellis registered 19 goals and 96 points in 211 regular-season games. He was on track this season to put up his best numbers yet, already collecting seven goals and 18 assists in 34 league games.
Cape Breton general manager Pierre Roux admitted in interviews following the trade that it was difficult to trade away his team captain, but suggested the Memorial Cup opportunity is a good one for Ellis.
In exchange for Ellis, the Screaming Eagles obtained 16-year-old winger Bronson Beaton, a second-round pick in 2012 and a first-round pick in 2013.
Roux followed up the Ellis deal with three other deals involving the Quebec Remparts, Drummondville Voltigeurs and Blainville-Boisbriand Armada before the dust had settled on New Year’s celebrations.
The Cataractes, who had 56 points in 40 games going into Wednesday’s game in Rimouski, are currently second in the East Division, third overall in the 17-team league.
Despite the extra travel time to see him play, Ellis said his family on P.E.I. is also pleased to see him go to Shawinigan.
“They want the best for my career,” he said, adding they are already making arrangements to take in the Memorial Cup.
Eric McCarthy is the western bureau manager of the Journal Pioneer. The "Islanders Away" feature appears every Thursday. If you would like to suggest an "Islander Away" for this feature, please do so by emailing jpsports@journalpioneer.com.
