Windsor Spitfires raise Ellis to the rafters

A former Spitfires captain who won back-to-back Memorial Cups in 2009 and 2010 with Windsor during his junior career has had his number six retired to the rafters.

The Windsor Spitfire’s all-time defensive scoring leader, Ryan Ellis, returned to his old stomping grounds at the W.F.C.U. Centre Saturday night for a ceremony in his honour.

“I’m very excited to be here. Windsor is a second home for me,” said Ellis. “I have some connections here and family. It’s nice to see all the coaches and trainers. Obviously the players have changed but the room is the same. It’s nice to be home.”

The Nashville Predators’ defenceman who was drafted eleventh overall in the first round of the 2009 NHL draft, scored 73 goals and 241 assists for 314 total points during his four seasons with the Spitfires.

The most recent defenceman to win the Canadian Hockey League’s most valuable player award, Ellis said he takes great pride in his junior career.

“Everything I did in junior, team achievements and player achievements, was all just a whirlwind really,” said Ellis. “It was so much fun for me to be a part of the teams we had and there are a lot of great players who have come through here. For me to be back is fun and I’m excited. Tonight has been a great time so far.”

Ellis, who recently signed a five-year deal worth $12.5 million with the Predators, has fond memories of his days in Windsor.

“Honestly, I miss it (Windsor). It’s a great city. It’s a great hockey city,” said Ellis. “It’s great to come back and see some old faces. Tonight the barn will be rockin’.”

Ellis said playing for the Spitfires was key in preparing him to play in the NHL.

“It was huge. To have some ex-players who played in the league, they truly ran it like an NHL organization. Winning was the ultimate goal but they developed some great family relationships,” said Ellis. “You’d come in and they’d begin as your coaches and your teammates but as the years went on it was more father figures and the players like brothers. It really became a whole family atmosphere.”

Windsor Spitfires president Bob Boughner, who coached Ellis during his tenure in Windsor, returned home from his assistant coaching position with the San Jose Sharks to attend the banner raising.

“Ryan Ellis was and always will be a great Windsor Spitfire,” said Boughner. “The Spitfires are proud and grateful to have him as a part of our family and community.”

Ellis, who surpassed Chicago Blackhawks’ head coach Joel Quenneville as the Spitfires’ all-time leading scorer among defencemen after scoring 230 points, was welcomed by an electric sellout crowd at the WFCU Centre.

“There are some greats up there. (Joel) Quennville, (Adam) Henrique and (Steve) Ott,” said Ellis. “There are a lot of big names and players who have done a lot of good things. I’m sure (Taylor) Hall will be up there soon. Great names. Great players. To be a part of that group is really special.”