{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 2000)}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox ice hockey biography | name = Colten Ellis | image = Colten Ellis.jpg | image_size = | caption = Ellis in 2023 with the St. Louis Blues | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|10|5}} | birth_place = River Denys, Nova Scotia, Canada | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 1 | weight_lb = 185 | position = Goaltender | catches = Left | league = NHL | team = Buffalo Sabres | prospect_team = <!--Rochester Americans--> | prospect_league = AHL | former_teams = | ntl_team = <!--Senior IIHF only--> | draft = 93rd overall | draft_year = 2019 | draft_team = St. Louis Blues | career_start = 2021 | career_end = }} '''Colten Ellis''' (born October 5, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 93rd overall by the St. Louis Blues in the third round of the 2019 NHL entry draft.
Born and raised in River Denys, Nova Scotia, Ellis emerged as one of Atlantic Canada's top young goaltenders while playing for the Cape Breton West Islanders, leading the team and province to its first-ever Telus Cup in 2017. Following his performances with the Islanders, he went on to play major junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, the Rimouski Océanic, and the Charlottetown Islanders. During his time in the QMJHL, Ellis made a name for himself, earning defensive rookie of the year and a spot on the all-rookie team his first year. Described as an athletic goalie before the 2019 NHL entry draft, he was selected by the St. Louis Blues with the 93rd overall pick. In his final QMJHL season, he tied the career QMJHL shutout record, broke the best goals-against-average season record, and had the fourth-best season save percentage all time. He was also named the best goaltender of the year and earned a spot on the first all-star team.
After signing an entry-level contract with St. Louis in 2021, Ellis spent several seasons developing within the organization. He began his professional career with the ECHL's Worcester Railers before earning opportunities with the American Hockey League (AHL) Springfield Thunderbirds. Following subpar performance marked by inconsistent play and a mid-season injury that sidelined him for the rest of the 2022–23 season with the ECHL Tulsa Oilers, Ellis rebounded after relearning his love for hockey. In the following seasons, his statistics and play improved, eventually earning the Thunderbirds' starting role. In October 2025, the Blues placed Ellis on waivers, where he was claimed by the Buffalo Sabres. He made his NHL debut later that month, becoming the first goaltender from Cape Breton Island to play in the NHL. Internationally, he has represented the Canada national team.
==Early life== Ellis was born in River Denys, Nova Scotia, on October 5, 2000, to Jo-Ann and Brian Ellis as one of three children in the family.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dunphy |first=Bill |date=October 29, 2025 |title=Colten Ellis shines as Buffalo Sabres first star in his NHL debut |url=https://www.invernessoran.ca/top-story/2990-colten-ellis-nhl-debut |access-date=November 1, 2025 |website=The Inverness Oran}}</ref><ref name="EP"/> He began playing hockey with the Whycocomagh Minor Hockey Association,<ref name="Whycocomagh">{{cite web |last=Fraser |first=Jeremy |date=October 8, 2025 |title=Cape Breton's Colten Ellis makes supporters proud after cracking Buffalo Sabres opening-night roster |url=https://www.saltwire.com/cape-breton/cape-bretons-colten-ellis-makes-supporters-proud-after-cracking-buffalo-sabres-opening-night-roster |access-date=October 20, 2025 |website=Cape Breton Post}}</ref> and had trouble throughout his childhood finding consistent playing time and competition, which his father helped him out with.<ref>{{cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Ryan |date=October 23, 2025 |title=Cape Breton’s Colten Ellis shines in NHL debut before family, friends |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/nova-scotia/article/cape-bretons-colten-ellis-shines-in-nhl-debut-before-family-friends/ |access-date=November 1, 2025 |website=CTV News}}</ref> Ellis has one brother, Matt, and one cousin, Chase, who played in the QMJHL with him.<ref name="Rimouski"/>
==Playing career==
===Amateur=== Ellis joined the Nova Junior X-Men of the Nova Scotia Under-15 Major Hockey League in the 2013–14 season as his first step into amateur hockey and stayed for 2014–15, having a 2.08 goals against average (GAA) and a 1.61 GAA respectively.<ref name="EP">{{cite web |title=Colten Ellis |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/266585/colten-ellis |access-date=October 20, 2025 |website=eliteprospects.com}}</ref> Following the two seasons with the X-Men, he joined the Cape Breton West Islanders of the Nova Scotia Under-18 Major Hockey League for the 2015–16 season, putting up a .890 save percentage and a 3.70 GAA.<ref name="EP"/>
Following his performance with the Islanders, the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles selected Ellis in the fourth round of the 2016 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) entry draft with the 59th overall pick. This was considered a noticeable drop from his expected draft position, with Screaming Eagles scouts surprised that he was still available to pick in the fourth round.<ref name="trade">{{cite web |last=Fraser |first=Jeremy |date=May 7, 2023 |title=Six years later: Former Cape Breton Eagles head coach, GM discuss decision to trade Colten Ellis over Kevin Mandolese |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/six-years-later-former-cape-breton-eagles-head-coach-gm-discuss-decision-to-trade-colten-ellis-over-kevin-mandolese-100851095 |access-date=October 20, 2025 |website=PNI Atlantic News}}</ref> He attended the Screaming Eagles training camp but was assigned back to the Islanders.<ref name="Rimouski">{{cite web |last=Fraser |first=Jeremy |date=October 16, 2018 |title=Colten Ellis brings championship-winning experience to Rimouski Océanic net |url=https://www.saltwire.com/cape-breton/colten-ellis-brings-championship-winning-experience-to-rimouski-oceanic-net-250785 |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=Cape Breton Post}}</ref> Ellis brought the Islanders to winning the provincial championship, and they were entered into the Atlantic Region Telus Cup qualifier. They beat out the Moncton Flyers to earn themselves a spot in the Telus Cup, where they went on to become the first Nova Scotia team to win the Telus Cup.<ref name="SO">{{cite web |last=Palmeter |first=Paul |date=March 22, 2021 |title=Nova Scotia goalie breaks QMJHL shutout record |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/nova-scotia-goalie-breaks-qmjhl-shutout-record-1.5959096 |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=CBC News}}</ref> Ellis performed exceptionally well in the finals and overall, with 43 saves and an overtime breakaway in the final game, along with having a 2.20 GAA and a .929 save percentage in the tournament.<ref name="EP"/><ref name="Whycocomagh"/> Ellis was also called up to the Screaming Eagles throughout the 2016–17 QMJHL season, playing three games with a 2–0–0 record, a 2.50 GAA, and an .885 save percentage.<ref name="EP"/><ref name="trade"/> After the end of the 2016–17 season, the Screaming Eagles decided to trade one of their three goaltenders, putting them all on the trade block. On June 3, 2017, Ellis was traded to the Rimouski Océanic for a first-round pick in the 2018 QMJHL entry draft, opting to keep their goaltenders Kyle Jessiman and Kevin Mandolese.<ref name="trade"/>
Ellis began the 2017–18 QMJHL season in Rimouski along with goaltender Jimmy Lemay. At the time, Rimouski general manager and head coach Serge Beausoleil did not decide on who would be starting in net for the season, as he wanted to watch and see how they develop in net.<ref>{{cite web |title=L'Océanic se prépare pour son premier match à domicile |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1058644/premier-match-domicile-oceanic-rimouski |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=Radio-Canada |language=fr |date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> Ellis quickly took over the starting role, playing 51 games and leading the Océanic to the QMJHL playoffs. In the QMJHL playoffs, they faced the Moncton Wildcats in the first round, which they lost in seven games.<ref name="EP"/> He ended his rookie season in the QMJHL first in wins with 33 and in shutouts with 6. He was also third in goals against average and save percentage, with 2.35 GAA and .913%, respectively.<ref>{{cite news |title=LHJMQ: 10 joueurs à surveiller cette saison |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lacadie-nouvelle/183424453/ |access-date=October 21, 2025 |work=L'Acadie Nouvelle |page=28 |language=fr |date=September 20, 2018}}</ref> He was nominated for the RDS Cup; the QMJHL rookie of the year, and the Raymond Lagacé Trophy; the defensive rookie of the year. Teammate Alexis Lafrenière won the RDS Cup while Ellis won the Raymond Lagacé Trophy. He was also named to the All-Rookie team and the second All-Star team.<ref name="Rimouski"/>
Rimouski continued to have Ellis as the starting goaltender beginning the 2018–19 season. Ellis was one of 40 players selected for the 2019 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, intended as a showcase for the 2019 eligible draftees.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hodge |first=Neil |date=January 23, 2019 |title=Wildcats star set for his CHL Top Prospects Game |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-transcript/183433879/ |access-date=October 21, 2025 |work=The Times-Transcript |page=B1}}</ref> He played just under 30 minutes in net, saving 15 out of 17 shots on goal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hopkins-Hill |first=John |date=January 25, 2019 |title=Team Orr beats Team Cherry in comeback win at top prospects game |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/yukon-news/184078707/ |access-date=October 31, 2025 |work=Yukon News |page=25}}</ref> By the end of the season, Ellis was ranked eighth across all North American goaltenders for the 2019 NHL entry draft.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jala |first=David |date=June 23, 2019 |title=Colten Ellis drafted by Stanley Cup champions |url=https://www.saltwire.com/cape-breton/colten-ellis-drafted-by-stanley-cup-champions-325606 |access-date=October 31, 2025 |website=Cape Breton Post}}</ref> In 46 games, he would record a 2.47 GAA and a .910 save percentage. Rimouski entered the 2019 playoffs as the third seed in the eastern conference, beating out the Chicoutimi Saguenéens and the Screaming Eagles before being swept by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the semi-finals; Ellis had played 12 games with a 2.36 GAA and .919 save percentage.<ref name="EP"/> Among the media during draft talk, he was described as a very "athletic goalie" but was "moving too much" and "not tracking pucks as well as he could."<ref>{{cite web |last=Pronman |first=Corey |date=June 22, 2019 |title=Grading the St. Louis Blues’ 2019 draft class |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1024952/2019/06/22/grading-the-st-louis-blues-2019-draft-class/ |access-date=October 31, 2025 |website=The Athletic}}</ref> The St. Louis Blues selected Ellis in the third round with the 93rd overall pick in the 2019 NHL entry draft.<ref>{{cite web |last=DeRosa |first=Michael |date=February 14, 2025 |title=Exciting Blues Goalie Prospect Thriving In AHL |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues/exciting-blues-goalie-prospect-thriving-in-ahl |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=The Hockey News}}</ref>
Ellis was returned to Rimouski for the 2019–20 season after being drafted.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rutherford |first=Jeremy |date=June 28, 2019 |title=How the Blues set up their goalie prospects for Jordan Binnington-level success |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1051433/2019/06/28/how-the-blues-set-up-their-goalie-prospects-for-jordan-binnington-level-success/ |access-date=October 31, 2025 |website=The Athletic}}</ref> He played in September and October before sustaining an injury that required surgery, which prevented him from playing in November and December.<ref>{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Jim |date=March 27, 2020 |title=Defensive prospect becomes offensive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/184080671/ |access-date=November 1, 2025 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |page=B3}}</ref> At the time of his injury, he had played 14 games with a 2.61 GAA and a .905 save percentage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colten Ellis |url=https://chl.ca/lhjmq/players/16528/ |access-date=November 1, 2025 |website=Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League}}</ref> On March 12, the QMJHL season was suspended for a week due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was cancelled for the rest of the season on March 18.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ellis |first=Steven |date=March 18, 2020 |title=CHL leagues cancel remainder of regular season campaigns; playoff status still undetermined |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/news/qmjhl-becomes-first-chl-league-to-cancel-remainder-of-regular-season |access-date=November 1, 2025 |website=The Hockey News}}</ref> Ellis had played 29 games with a 2.41 GAA and a .904 save percentage when the season ended.<ref name="EP"/> Following the end of the 2019–20 season, the Charlottetown Islanders traded for Ellis, giving up a 2020 third-round pick, and a 2021 first- and second-round pick.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 6, 2020 |title=Islanders acquire all-star netminder Colten Ellis |url=https://chl.ca/lhjmq-islanders/islanders-acquire-all-star-netminder-colten-ellis/ |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=Charlottetown Islanders}}</ref>
Despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic causing the 2020–21 season for the Ontario Hockey League to be cancelled and the Western Hockey League to start delayed, the 2020–21 QMJHL season continued as normal. Ellis started the season with a spot on the Week 3 QMJHL Team of the Week on October 19, recording a shutout against the Halifax Mooseheads.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 19, 2020 |title=Markus Vidicek named to QMJHL Team of the Week |url=https://chl.ca/lhjmq-mooseheads/markus-vidicek-named-to-qmjhl-team-of-the-week/ |access-date=November 1, 2025 |website=Halifax Mooseheads}}</ref> On March 1, 2021, Ellis signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Blues, beginning in the 2021–22 NHL season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Malloy |first=Jason |date=March 2, 2021 |title=Charlottetown Islanders goalie Colten Ellis thanks those closest to him after signing NHL contract with St. Louis Blues |url=https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/charlottetown-islanders-goalie-colten-ellis-thanks-those-closest-to-him-after-signing-nhl-contract-with-st-louis-blues-558624 |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=The Chronicle Herald}}</ref> On March 22, Ellis set the all-time QMJHL record for shutouts by a goaltender with eighteen by shutting out his former team, the Screaming Eagles, 4–0.<ref name="SO"/> He was also named Player of the Week the same day, after recording two shutouts that week.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brien |first=David |date=March 22, 2021 |title=Ultramar Player of the Week | Colten Ellis (March 22, 2021) |url=https://chl.ca/lhjmq/en/article/ultramar-player-of-the-week-colten-ellis-march-22-2021/ |access-date=November 1, 2025 |website=Quebec Major Junior Hockey League}}</ref> By the end of the season, he had seven shutouts, tying the single-season shutout record at the time with seven, held by six goalies, including Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Roberto Luongo.<ref name="TP">{{cite web |date=August 25, 2024 |title=River Denys netminder making most of AHL opportunity |url=https://participaperonline.ca/river-denys-netminder-making-most-of-ahl-opportunity/ |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=The Participaper}}</ref> With a record of 23–1–0 with a 1.78 GAA and .926 save percentage, Ellis set the lowest GAA for a season by a goaltender in the QMJHL, and the fourth-best all-time save percentage. For his performance in the regular season, he received the Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy for best goaltender and a spot on the First All-Star team.<ref name="2021Awards">{{cite web |last=Malloy |first=Jason |date=April 27, 2021 |title=Charlottetown Islanders teammates Desruisseaux, Ellis, Cormier recognized by QMJHL |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/charlottetown-islanders-teammates-desruisseaux-ellis-cormier-recognized-by-qmjhl-100581064 |access-date=November 1, 2025 |website=PNI Atlantic News}}</ref> Ellis led the Islanders to the semi-finals of the playoffs against the Victoriaville Tigres, where they lost the series 2–3.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fraser |first=Jeremy |date=May 26, 2021 |title=Colten Ellis, Charlottetown Islanders eliminated from President Cup contention |url=https://www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/colten-ellis-charlottetown-islanders-eliminated-from-president-cup-contention-100592553 |access-date=November 1, 2025 |website=The Chronicle Herald}}</ref>
===Professional=== By the 2021–22 season, Ellis had aged out of the QMJHL and began his professional career, participating in the Blues' preseason training camp. After what was described as a "strong showing", he was assigned to the Worcester Railers in the ECHL.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dunphy |first=Bill |date=January 19, 2022 |title=NHL hopeful Colten Ellis keeps his eye on the prize |url=https://www.invernessoran.ca/sports/2002-colten-ellis-eye-prize |access-date=October 23, 2025 |website=The Inverness Oran}}</ref> He made his professional debut on October 23 against the Maine Mariners in a 4–3 win, saving 42 out of 45 shots on goal.<ref>{{cite web |title=10/23/21 | Maine Mariners @ Worcester Railers |url=https://echl.com/games/2021/10/23/worcester-railers-vs-maine-mariners |access-date=October 23, 2025 |website=ECHL}}</ref> A week later on October 30, he was called up to the American Hockey League (AHL) Springfield Thunderbirds.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 31, 2021 |title=Transactions |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-republican/183567496/ |access-date=October 23, 2025 |work=The Republican |page=B2}}</ref> He made his AHL debut against the Bridgeport Islanders, saving 28 out of 29 shots on goal in a 4–1 win.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 6, 2021 |title=Springfield Thunderbirds 4 – 1 Bridgeport Islanders |url=https://theahl.com/stats/game-center/1022746 |access-date=October 24, 2025 |website=American Hockey League}}</ref> He was sent down the next day back to the Railers. On December 9, Ellis was called up again to the Thunderbirds, staying with them for almost two months.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 10, 2021 |title=Roster boosted by PTOs, call-ups |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-republican/183567117/ |access-date=October 23, 2025 |work=The Republican |page=B1}}</ref> He was sent down to the Railers for the final time on January 22.<ref>{{cite web |title=2021-22 Regular Season Worcester Railers Transactions |url=https://echl.com/transactions |access-date=October 23, 2025 |website=ECHL}}</ref> In six games on the season with the Thunderbirds, he had recorded a 1–3–2 record, a 3.93 GAA, and a .880 save percentage.<ref name="EP"/> On March 18, Ellis recorded his first professional shutout against the South Carolina Stingrays in a 3–0 win, making 23 saves.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ballou |first=Bill |date=March 19, 2022 |title= Colten Ellis Records First Professional Shutout in 3-0 Win Over South Carolina |url=https://railershc.com/news/2022/03/colten-ellis-records-first-professional-shutout-in-3-0-win-over-south-carolina |access-date=October 23, 2025 |website=Worcester Railers}}</ref> By the end of the season, he played 34 games with the Railers with a 15–13–5 record, a 3.21 GAA, and a .905 save percentage.<ref name="EP"/>
Entering the 2022–23 ECHL season, Ellis participated in the Blues' Traverse City prospect tournament. He did not perform well, giving up nine goals in two starts, being pulled early both times.<ref>{{cite web |last=Panula |first=Todd |date=September 18, 2022 |title=St. Louis Blues Prospects Very Inconsistent In Traverse City |url=https://bleedinblue.com/2022/09/18/st-louis-blues-prospects-inconsistent-traverse-city/ |access-date=October 22, 2025 |website=Bleedin' Blue}}</ref> Ellis, along with Joel Hofer and Vadim Zherenko, made the Thunderbirds opening roster.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 14, 2022 |title=T-Birds Announce Opening Night Roster |url=https://springfieldthunderbirds.com/news/t-birds-announce-opening-night-roster |access-date=October 22, 2025 |website=Springfield Thunderbirds}}</ref> Despite being on the season-opening roster, Ellis never played a game and was assigned to the ECHL Tulsa Oilers on October 29.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 30, 2022 |title=Transactions |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-enterprise/183502688/ |access-date=October 22, 2025 |work=Press Enterprise |page=A12}}</ref> Ellis took over the Oilers starting goaltender following his reassignment. With the Oilers, he started suffering issues with his hip beginning in December and had season-ending hip surgery in February. At the time of surgery, he had finished the season with a 12–9–5 record, 3.46 GAA, and an .888 save percentage in 27 games.<ref name="PNI">{{cite web |last=Fraser |first=Jeremy |date=September 3, 2024 |title=Cape Breton's Colten Ellis given opportunity to prove himself as professional goaltender with St. Louis Blues organization |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/cape-bretons-colten-ellis-given-opportunity-to-prove-himself-as-professional-goaltender-with-st-louis-blues-organization-100991072 |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=PNI Atlantic News}}</ref> Ellis began his recovery period and was back on the ice in June. While recovering from his injury, Ellis had relearned his love of hockey and "re-modelled [his] game and took a look at what [he] needed to do to have some success".<ref name="TP"/><ref name="PNI"/>
Prior to the 2023–24 ECHL season, Ellis participated in the Blues' training camp, where he suffered a concussion.<ref name="TP"/> He ended up being assigned to the Orlando Solar Bears to start the season. Following an impressive performance with a record of 5–0–0 with one shutout, a 1.58 GAA, and a .954 save percentage, Ellis was named ECHL Goaltender of the Month for December. He was also named ECHL Goaltender of the Week ending December 23 with 2 wins, a 1.00 GAA, and a .973 save percentage.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 4, 2024 |title=Ellis named ECHL goaltender of the month for December |url=https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/ellis-named-echl-goaltender-of-the-month-for-december |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=St. Louis Blues}}</ref> After Thunderbirds goalie Vadim Zherenko suffered an injury in January, Ellis was called up to the Thunderbirds on the 21st, playing 13 games and recording a 2.86 GAA and a .926 save percentage while Zherenko was out. Following Zherenko's return from injury, the Thunderbirds rotated him, Zherenko, and Malcolm Subban in net before Subban was traded in March to the Columbus Blue Jackets.<ref name="TP"/> Following the trade, Zherenko and Ellis became the Thunderbirds goaltender tandem and were in net for the rest of the season, playing three more games for a season total 2.89 GAA and .924 save percentage.<ref name="EP"/> Ellis credited Subban for his better performance in Springfield throughout the year.<ref name="TP"/> On June 11, Ellis signed a one-year, two-way contract extension worth $775,000 with the Blues.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 11, 2024 |title=Ellis signs one-year contract extension |url=https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/ellis-signs-one-year-contract-extension |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=St. Louis Blues}}</ref>
Ellis started the 2024–25 season by participating again in the Blues' training camp, where he would be assigned to the Thunderbirds to start the season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fraser |first=Jeremy |date=September 30, 2024 |title=NHL: St. Louis Blues reassign Cape Breton's Colten Ellis after impressive training camp |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/nhl-st-louis-blues-reassign-cape-bretons-colten-ellis-after-impressive-training-camp-100997450 |access-date=October 22, 2025 |website=PNI Atlantic News}}</ref> Despite Zherenko starting in the Thunderbirds net on opening night, he quickly took over as the team's starting goaltender, playing 8 out of the 12 games from the start of the season to mid-November with a .919 save percentage and a 2.80 GAA between that time period.<ref>{{cite news |last=DeFranks |first=Matthew |date=November 19, 2024 |title=Goalie Ellis surges up Blues' organizational depth chart |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/183499212/ |access-date=October 22, 2025 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |page=B2}}</ref> Following his strong start to the AHL season, he continued to be the Thunderbirds' starting goaltender. On March 6, Ellis signed a two-year, two-way contract extension worth $1.55 million with the Blues.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 6, 2025 |title=Ellis agrees to two-year extension with Blues |url=https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/ellis-agrees-to-two-year-extension-with-blues |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=St. Louis Blues}}</ref> Four days later, he was named AHL Player of the Week ending March 9 with a shutout, 95 saves, a 0.72 GAA, and a .979 save percentage.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Ryan |date=March 10, 2025 |title=Colten Ellis Named Howie's Hockey Tape AHL Player of the Week |url=https://springfieldthunderbirds.com/news/colten-ellis-named-howies-hockey-tape-ahl-player-of-the-week |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=Springfield Thunderbirds}}</ref> By the end of the season, he had played 42 games with a 22–14–5 record, a 2.63 GAA, and a .922 save percentage.<ref name="EP"/> The Thunderbirds entered the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs as the A6 seed paired against the A3 seed Providence Bruins, a series they would lose in three; he recorded a 2.32 GAA and a .933 save percentage.<ref name="EP"/> Following the Calder Cup playoffs, Ellis was called up to the Blues on April 28, but did not appear in any Stanley Cup playoff games.<ref>{{cite news |last=Timmermann |first=Tom |date=April 29, 2025 |title=Struggling Jets goalie Hellebuyck vows to 'be better' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/183499825/ |access-date=October 22, 2025 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |page=B2}}</ref>
Before the start of the 2025–26 NHL season on October 5, the Blues put Ellis on waivers to be put on assignment back to Springfield as Jordan Binnington and Joel Hofer were expected to be the starter and backup, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dennis |first=Tim |date=October 22, 2025 |title=Colten Ellis talks Buffalo Sabres, NHL debut: 'Super grateful' |url=https://sabrenoise.com/colten-ellis-talks-buffalo-sabres-nhl-debut-super-grateful-01k868t80n7a |access-date=October 22, 2025 |website=Sabre Noise}}</ref> After impressive preseason play which caught the attention of Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, he was claimed by the Sabres the next day, putting him and Alexandar Georgiev in contention for the backup spot to start the season behind Alex Lyon.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ellis |first=Steven |date=October 6, 2025 |title=Sabres claim Colten Ellis off waivers from Blues |url=https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/buffalo-sabres-claim-colten-ellis-off-waivers-from-st-louis-blues |access-date=October 20, 2025 |website=Daily Faceoff}}</ref> Georgiev was waived the following day, making Ellis the backup to Lyon to start the season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Augello |first=Michael |date=October 7, 2025 |title=Sabres Place Alexandar Georgiev on Waivers |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-place-alexandar-georgiev-on-waivers |access-date=October 20, 2025 |website=The Hockey News}}</ref> Ellis made his NHL debut on October 22 in a 4–2 win against the Detroit Red Wings, saving 27 out of 29 shots on goal.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 22, 2025 |title=Sabres' Colten Ellis: Slated to face Detroit |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/sabres-colten-ellis-slated-to-face-detroit/ |access-date=October 22, 2025 |website=CBS Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Fairburn |first=Matthew |date=October 23, 2025 |title=Sabres thoughts: Colten Ellis steals the show in NHL debut as Buffalo upends Detroit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6742334/2025/10/23/sabres-colten-ellis-nhl-debut-quinn-red-wings/ |access-date=October 23, 2025 |website=The Athletic}}</ref> With his debut, he became the first goaltender from Cape Breton Island to play in the NHL, the eighth from Nova Scotia, and the ninth Sabres goaltender to win in their debut.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fraser |first=Jeremy |date=October 23, 2025 |title=Making history in the crease: Buffalo Sabres' Colten Ellis becomes first Cape Breton-born goaltender to play, earn a victory in the NHL |url=https://www.saltwire.com/cape-breton/making-history-in-the-crease-buffalo-sabres-colten-ellis-becomes-first-cape-breton-born-goaltender-to-play-earn-a-victory-in-the-nhl |access-date=October 23, 2025 |website=Cape Breton Post}}</ref> On April 9, Ellis recorded his first career shutout in a 5–0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lenzi |first1=Rachel |title=Sabres recap: Colten Ellis earns first career shutout in 5-0 win against Columbus |url=https://buffalonews.com/sports/professional/nhl/sabres/article_9a5a1088-8870-4ec7-a917-21310219f0b0.html |website=Buffalo News |access-date=10 April 2026 |language=en |date=9 April 2026}}</ref>
==International play== For the 2018 IIHF World U18 Championships, Ellis and Olivier Rodrigue were selected as the team's goaltenders. He started the first two round-robin games against the United States and Belarus, recording a 3.50 GAA and a .887 save percentage.<ref name="EP"/><ref>{{cite web |date=April 20, 2018 |title=Cape Breton goalie Colten Ellis minds Canada net at U18 World Championships |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/article/cape-breton-goalie-colten-ellis-minds-canada-net-at-u18-world-championships/ |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=CTV News}}</ref> Rodrigue took over the starting goaltender role and Team Canada continued in quarterfinals play, where they lost to the Czech Republic.<ref>{{cite web |last=Murray |first=Robert |date=April 22, 2018 |title=Canada stays perfect at 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship with 5-0 blanking of Switzerland |url=https://chl.ca/whl/canada-stays-perfect-at-2018-iihf-u18-world-championship-with-5-0-blanking-of-switzerland/ |access-date=November 1, 2025 |website=Western Hockey League}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CAN - CZE 26.04.2018 - 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championships |url=https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2018/wm18/gamecenter/playbyplay/48832/25-can-vs-cze |access-date=November 1, 2025 |website=International Ice Hockey Federation}}</ref>
Ellis was contention for the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships roster for Canada, participating in what was considered an average summer showcase, but did not make the December camp roster cut.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Ryan |date=December 2, 2019 |title=Canada's 2020 world junior camp roster: A look at the surprises and snubs |url=https://thehockeynews.com/news/news/canadas-2020-world-junior-camp-roster-a-look-at-the-surprises-and-snubs |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=The Hockey News}}</ref>
On December 20, 2024, Hockey Canada announced their roster for the 2024 Spengler Cup, which selected Ellis and Antoine Bibeau as the goaltenders. At the time of his selection, he had an 8–4–2 record with a 2.70 GAA and a .918 save percentage.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Ryan |date=December 20, 2024 |title=Colten Ellis to Represent Team Canada at 2024 Spengler Cup |url=https://springfieldthunderbirds.com/news/colten-ellis-to-represent-team-canada-at-2024-spengler-cup |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=Springfield Thunderbirds}}</ref> He started the tournament in net against HC Davos, recording 25 saves in a 6–2 win.<ref name="TIO">{{cite web |last=Dunphy |first=Bill |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Colten Ellis shines as Canada's goalie at Spengler Cup |url=https://invernessoran.ca/sports/2778-colten-ellis-spengler-cup |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=The Inverness Oran}}</ref> Ellis continued to be the starting goaltender for Team Canada, playing two more games before losing to the Straubing Tigers in the semifinals. He finished the tournament with a second-best 2.68 GAA and a .911 save percentage, only behind HC Davos goaltender Luca Hollenstein.<ref name="TIO"/>
==Career statistics==
===Regular season and playoffs=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:75%;" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="9" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"|Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="8" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"|Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! W !! L !! OT !! MIN !! GA !! SO !! GAA !! SV% ! GP !! W !! L !! MIN !! GA !! SO !! GAA !! SV% |- | 2016–17 | Cape Breton Screaming Eagles | QMJHL | 3 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 144 || 6 || 0 || 2.50 || .885 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2017–18 | Rimouski Océanic | QMJHL | 51 || 33 || 8 || 6 || 2,836 || 111 || 6 || 2.35 || .913 | 7 || 3 || 4 || 403 || 21 || 0 || 3.12 || .885 |- | 2018–19 | Rimouski Océanic | QMJHL | 46 || 27 || 15 || 2 || 2,649 || 109 || 3 || 2.47 || .910 | 12 || 8 || 4 || 737 || 29 || 1 || 2.36 || .919 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2019–20 | Rimouski Océanic | QMJHL | 29 || 18 || 7 || 3 || 1,691 || 68 || 2 || 2.41 || .904 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2020–21 | Charlottetown Islanders | QMJHL | 24 || 23 || 1 || 0 || 1,448 || 43 || 7 || 1.78 || .926 | 8 || 5 || 3 || 443 || 23 || 1 || 3.11 || .863 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2021–22 | Springfield Thunderbirds | AHL | 6 || 1 || 3 || 2 || 351 || 23 || 0 || 3.93 || .880 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2021–22 | Worcester Railers | ECHL | 34 || 15 || 13 || 5 || 2,017 || 108 || 1 || 3.21 || .905 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2022–23 | Tulsa Oilers | ECHL | 27 || 12 || 9 || 5 || 1,528 || 88 || 0 || 3.46 || .888 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2023–24 | Springfield Thunderbirds | AHL | 16 || 7 || 9 || 0 || 956 || 46 || 0 || 2.89 || .924 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2023–24 | Orlando Solar Bears | ECHL | 21 || 12 || 5 || 1 || 1,151 || 47 || 1 || 2.45 || .923 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2024–25 | Springfield Thunderbirds | AHL | 42 || 22 || 14 || 5 || 2,420 || 106 || 3 || 2.63 || .922 | 3 || 1 || 2 || 181 || 7 || 0 || 2.32 || .933 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2025–26 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 16 || 8 || 4 || 2 || 911 || 44 || 1 || 2.90 || .903 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3"|NHL totals ! 16 !! 8 !! 4 !! 2 !! 911 !! 44 !! 1 !! 2.90 !! .903 ! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — |}
===International=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em;" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! GP !! W !! L !! T !! MIN !! GA !! SO !! GAA !! SV% |- | 2018 | Canada | U18 | 5th | 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 120 || 7 || 0 || 3.50 || .887 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4"|Junior totals | 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 120 || 7 || 0 || 3.50 || .887 |}
==Awards and honours== {| class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year ! Ref |- ! colspan="3" |QMJHL |- | Raymond Lagacé Trophy | 2018 | <ref name="Rimouski"/> |- | All-Rookie Team | 2018 | <ref name="Rimouski"/> |- | Second All-Star Team | 2018 | <ref name="Rimouski"/> |- | Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy | 2021 | <ref name="2021Awards"/> |- | First All-Star Team | 2021 | <ref name="2021Awards"/> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}}
{{Portal bar|Ice hockey|Canada|Nova Scotia}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellis, Colten}} Category:2000 births Category:Living people Category:Buffalo Sabres players Category:Cape Breton Screaming Eagles players Category:Charlottetown Islanders players Category:Ice hockey people from Nova Scotia Category:Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) players Category:People from Inverness County, Nova Scotia Category:Rimouski Océanic players Category:St. Louis Blues draft picks Category:Springfield Thunderbirds players Category:Tulsa Oilers (1992–present) players Category:Worcester Railers players Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen