The Nashville Tennessean observes that Predators prospect Ryan Ellis, 21, has been on the shelf this season for all but one game with a broken wrist suffered in the offseason. He made his season debut Tuesday against the Chicago Wolves.
“You ask anyone who has to deal with an injury, they’re pretty upset and rattled about it,” Ellis said. “I mean, I take it in stride.”
Admirals coach Dean Evason said Ellis has gone above and beyond what was asked of him as he recovered.
“Ryan Ellis has been the consummate pro since he got here,” Evason said. “You can tell his leadership qualities are tremendous. He has worked hard every day in practice, trains hard off the ice. He’s a real good teammate, so we’ve had absolutely no issues.”
The Predators picked Ellis in the first round of the 2009 draft for his puck-moving ability and on-ice vision. Once he returns to full strength, the Predators hope that he can round out the defensive side of his game to go with his various offensive gifts.
“No question, with his size, he will have to work at that end of his game,” Evason said. “He knows how to defend. It’s now a matter of defending against bigger, stronger men.”