CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Colten Ellis is all about winning.
The 20-year-old Charlottetown Islanders goalie has done nothing but that since arriving in Prince Edward Island. In fact, he can tie the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League record for most wins (12) to start a season with a victory tonight when the Isles host the Halifax Mooseheads.
“To be completely honest with you, I don’t even know what the record is,” Ellis said in a telephone interview on Tuesday. “It’s not something I was really focused on or kind of set out to do, it’s more so just taking it one game at a time and helping my team in any way I can.”
Record book
A look at the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s record for most consecutive wins by a goalie to start a season.
Player, team Season Record
1. Pierre Pérusse, Quebec 1972-73 12
1. Louis Domingue, Quebec 2010-11 12
3. Zachary Emond, Rouyn-Noranda 2018-19 11
3. Colten Ellis, Charlottetown 2020-21 11
5. Michel Robert, Quebec 1970-71 10
5. Alain Morissette, Trois-Rivières 1989-90 10
7. Jeff Barratt, Laval 1982-82 9
7. Steve Vézina, Beauport 1994-95 9
7. Alexei Volkov, Halifax 1998-98 9
7. Brandon Whitney, Victoriaville 2011-12 9
11. Mario Gosselin, Shawinigan 1981-82 8
11. Tony Haladuick, Laval 1983-84 8
11. Olivier Roy, Cape Breton 2008-09 8
Source – http://www.lhjmq-records.qc.ca
It’s a mature approach that says a lot about how Ellis is wired.
Islanders head coach and general manager Jim Hulton anted up a first-, second- and third-round draft picks in June to acquire the overage goalie from the Rimouski Oceanic. It provided the Isles a bridge from five-year veteran Matthew Welsh to Jacob Goobie, now in his sophomore season in Charlottetown.
Rimouski general manager Serge Beausoleil told Hulton it was clear to see what he was getting on the ice in Ellis, but the complete package was so much more.
“This kid is unbelievable,” Hulton was told.
Ellis, a River Denys, N.S., native, has given Charlottetown a chance to win every night this season while being professional on and off the ice and a calming presence as the team’s last line of defence.
“He makes a lot of really difficult saves look really easy just because his positioning and anticipation are so good,” Hulton said. “There are seam passes where he’s over ahead of the puck.”
Noah Laaouan, a defenceman from Halifax, said he was excited upon hearing the Islanders had acquired the veteran netminder.
“I played against Colten in midget and saw what he did for his Cape Breton West Islanders team, helping them win the Telus Cup, and everything he’s accomplished in the league already,” he said. “He’s drafted to the NHL for a reason, so I think he brings a lot of confidence to our whole team, knowing he’s back there for us when we need him.”
Ellis played the past three seasons with the Oceanic. While it can take some players time to find their way in a new organization, Ellis fit in from Day 1.
“Everybody was definitely very welcoming,” he said. “They made the transition pretty smooth for me and they’ve been very supportive. I’ve also had support from everyone back home and my family, who have always been great supporters for me.”
Need to know
Who: Colten Ellis, a goaltender with the Charlottetown Islanders. The 20-year-old is from River Denys in Cape Breton, N.S.
Did you know? Ellis was a third-round pick (93rd overall) of the St. Louis Blues in 2019. He has not signed a contract.
The latest: Ellis can tie a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League record for most consecutive wins to start a season with a victory tonight.
Not the first Isles’ streak: Ellis’ streak has been overshadowed a bit as forward Cédric Desruisseaux went 13 straight games with a goal until Jan. 29’s game in Sydney, N.S. Head coach Jim Hulton said the unusual season, with big breaks because of COVID-19, hasn’t helped with recognizing Ellis’ remarkable start to the campaign. “The magnitude of his performance I don't think is fully grasped yet – as crazy as that sounds as the guy’s undefeated but it’s been so hard to follow this year as a fan.”
2020-21 statistics:
GP W L GAA SAV%
11 11 0 2.00 .923
Hulton said Ellis is a humble young man with a great personality.
“He’s got a pedigree about him, but he doesn't carry himself any different than any other player. He endears himself to players and staff alike because he’s very genuine.”
And while Ellis can be all business when he needs to be, he doesn’t mind enjoying some fun on the ice during practices.
“He’s very driven. He has a goal … you can really see the dedication he has and what he is working towards and I think that rubs off on everybody,” Laaouan said. “At the same time, he knows that in order to achieve those type of goals and get to where he wants to be having fun is part of it.”
While it is Ellis’ name on the record list, he is quick to point out it is not a one-person statistic and it has taken a team to accomplish.
“Everyone is a part of that and a big reason why we’re having so much success is that everybody is contributing in the way they should be, and everybody is playing their role and knowing their roles,” he said.
Ellis enters tonight’s game leading the league in wins, goals-against average and save percentage while being tied for top spot with two shutouts. But Ellis has bigger things he wants to achieve in his final junior season and none of them include individual recognition.
“I just came in here with a winning mindset and I’m hoping to make a deep playoff run and eventually win a championship.”
Jason Malloy is The Guardian's sports editor. He can be reached by email at [email protected] and followed on Twitter at @SportsGuardian.
