Sky’s the limit for Islanders’ forward
Matthew Ellis hopes to one day play with brother in QMJHL
Being drafted by a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team is a moment a hockey player never forgets, especially for Matthew Ellis.
The Cape Breton West Islanders forward was drafted by the Rimouski Océanic in the seventh round, No. 110 overall, at the QMJHL entry draft in June.
Ellis’ brother, Colten, was already member of the Océanic following a trade from the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in 2017, which made being selected by Rimouski a special moment.
“I was really excited just to get the chance to get drafted and experience the whole thing,” said Ellis. “Knowing I might be able to play with my brother was a pretty special feeling and hopefully that happens next year.”
Unfortunately, Ellis, who suffered a knee injury during The Chronicle Herald East Coast Ice Jam last January in Bedford, was unable to attend Océanic training camp this year after he reinjured his knee during an offseason on-ice session in July.
“It was a last-minute decision, but I think it was for the best,” said Ellis of not participating in the camp.
“It’s pretty hard to make a major junior team as a
16-year-old – it would have been nice to go to camp and experience it and get a feel for it, but I’m with the Islanders and I think it’s the best for my development right now.”
The River Denys product began playing hockey at the age of five and went on to play for the Whycocomagh Oilers, before playing his atom and peewee years with the Cape Breton West Minor Hockey Association.
After spending four seasons in the Cape Breton West association, Ellis later suited up for the Antigonish-based Nova Jr. X-men of the Nova Scotia Major Bantam Hockey League, playing two seasons with the team and recording 31 goals and 19 assists for 50 points in 61 games.
Ellis return to Cape Breton to continue his hockey career, cracking a spot on the Cape Breton West Islanders during the
2017-18 season, finishing the year with five goals and 11 assists for 16 points, despite missing most of the second half of the year due to injury.
Islanders’ head coach Nick Macneil considers Ellis to be a “highly skilled power forward.”
“I think he has a professional shot already,” said the first-year head coach, who played four seasons with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
“He wants to make it to the next level and I know Matthew is one of those guys pushing to achieve that and I think he has what it takes to play major junior.”
Macneil was impressed with Ellis’ work ethic, noting the 16-year-old is a leader on a young Islanders team this season.”
“With younger kids, they may not realize the importance of the defensive game, but when they get older it’s huge and Matthew is getting there and he’s getting a lot better in his defensive game,” said Macneil.
“If he keeps working hard and stays on the right path and has a good attitude he could certainly be there next year in Rimouski.”
Along with getting drafted by the Océanic, Ellis was also selected by the Amherst Ramblers in round five, No. 57 overall, at the Maritime Junior Hockey League Entry Draft in June.
The Ramblers later traded his junior ‘A’ rights to the Campbellton Tigers in August in a deal that sent former Moncton Wildcat forward Casey Fox to Amherst.
In 22 games with the Islanders this season, Ellis is second on the team in points (22) with eight goals and 14 assists.
“I think I’m playing a good role with Cape Breton West right now,” said Ellis. “It’s really good development, it’s a really good program and I really like it here and Nick (Macneil) has new stuff coming at us every practice and it’s making me a better player.”
Although he’s focused on helping his Islanders make a long playoff run, Ellis’ ultimate goal for 2019 is to make the Océanic and to play with his brother.
“It would be an unbelievable feeling,” said Ellis. “We always talk about the possibility of it happening, so hopefully it becomes reality one day.”