EAST BIDEFORD, P.E.I. — Morgan Ellis is back in Germany.
The hard-nosed defenceman started the season in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) with Latvia-based Dinamo Riga before recently moving to the ERC Ingolstadt Panthers of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL).
“Timing is everything sometimes,” said ERC Ingolstadt manager Larry Mitchell in a team news release. “We were looking for a defender, and Morgan (was looking for) a new challenge.
“The long wait to fill this position has absolutely paid off. He fulfills exactly the criteria we were looking for – a right-shooting defender who is tall, plays physically and who we can use (a lot)."
Ellis, a 28-year-old from East Bideford, near Tyne Valley, comes to ERC Ingolstadt after playing 17 games with Dinamo Riga this season. He had three points, including one goal, four penalty minutes and was a minus-12.
“I wasn’t playing my best hockey, and we weren’t winning very many games,” Ellis told The Guardian in an interview on Tuesday morning. “There’s a lot of pressure in any league to win, especially the KHL, and when you are not winning, the team usually starts to get rid of guys.
“I wasn’t enjoying myself too much there, to be honest. So the team and my agent agreed on a buyout of my contract, and we went our separate ways.
“My family and I enjoyed our time when we were last in Germany, so we thought it (was) best to all go back because it’s a great league to be in for hockey, especially for families.”
Ellis, who appeared in three regular-season games for the Montreal Canadiens during the 2015-16 campaign, previously played in the DEL for Kolner Haie during the 2018-19 season.
“I’m very familiar with the team because we played them all season, then we beat them in seven games in the playoffs that year,” said Ellis, who played 3 ½ seasons with the Cape Breton Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 2008 to 2012 before winning the Memorial Cup with the host Shawinigan Cataractes in 2012. “They were an excellent offensive team and tough to play against…
“I'm familiar with the league and cities, so that always makes it more comfortable coming back because you know what to expect.”
Ellis is currently self-isolating in Ingolstadt, which is about 43 miles from Munich. He could be eligible to start skating with his new team as early as Friday in preparation for the start of the season on Dec. 17.
“I’m just looking to play my game, be reliable defensively, move the puck up the ice to join the attack, use my shot as much as possible, and always be a threat on the blue-line,” said Ellis.
ERC Ingolstadt has announced Ellis will wear No. 4. The team is looking to benefit from the Islander's experience.
“The fact that Morgan has experience in Europe and the DEL is, of course, an additional plus,” said Mitchell. “In addition, he has already gained a lot of match experience this season.”
Fourth season
Ellis is in his fourth season in Europe after playing five years of pro hockey in North America. He played the 2017-18 season in Sweden, toiled in Germany during the 2018-19 campaign, and played the 2019-20 season with Russia’s HK Sochi of the KHL.
Ellis said he is enjoying his time in Europe playing in the different leagues.
“Each league’s style is different,” he said. “I also enjoyed my time playing in North America, but I just felt it was time for a change when I chose to come over.”
Family
Ellis said his wife Brittany, two young sons, Nash and Bowen, and the family dog, Loki, are currently on P.E.I. They hope to join Ellis in Germany after Christmas.
“With all the uncertainty with COVID-19 this year and, especially playing in the KHL, it’s a lot tougher to fly family in with all the rules,” said Ellis. “There’s a lot of travel in that league, so you’re not home all that much.
“Now that I’m in Germany, it’s going to be easier for them to travel here, and there’s a lot less travel as you only play in this country. We will be looking forward to more family time.”
Numbers
A look at the professional hockey career of Morgan Ellis:
National Hockey League
2015-16
Montreal Canadiens
Regular Season
GP G A Pts PIM
3 0 0 0 2
****
2012-2017
American Hockey League
Hamilton Bulldogs, St. John’s IceCaps, Chicago Wolves
Regular Season/Playoffs
GP G A Pts PIM
314 35 65 100 193
****
2017-18
Swedish Hockey League
Skelleftea AIK
Farjestad BK
GP G A Pts PIM
54 4 7 11 33
****
2018-19
German Ice Hockey League (DEL)
Kolner Haie
Regular Season/Playoffs
GP G A Pts PIM
63 12 26 38 30
****
2019-20
Kontinental Hockey League
HK Sochi
Dinamo Riga
GP G A Pts PIM
71 2 18 20 32
Jason Simmonds is The Guardian's sports Reporter. He can be reached by email at [email protected] and followed on Twitter at @JpsportsJason .
