Colten Ellis was named the game’s first star when he made his goaltending debut with the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 22, making 27 saves to win his first NHL game 4-2. (Photo courtesy of the Buffalo Sabres)
October 29, 2025
-by Bill Dunphy
Since Colten Ellis was 14, the 25-year-old goaltender from River Denys has made ‘first starts’ for 12 different teams, but none bigger than his first start in the National Hockey League on Wednesday of last week.
Claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 13, Ellis was outstanding when he made his NHL debut against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 22.
Ellis didn’t see a shot for the first 10 minutes, then made a breakaway save on Marco Kasper late in the period and another breakaway save on Dylan Larkin early in the second frame.
When the 60 minutes were over, Ellis had made 27 saves in a 4-2 win – a .931 save percentage – earning him the game’s first star.
“It’s been pretty thrilling the last few days. It’s something I have worked towards my whole life and having the opportunity was pretty surreal,” he said in an Oran interview on Monday.
“There’s so much to take away from playing that first game. I definitely enjoyed it for the night, spending time afterwards with my family and friends. Now I have put it in my back pocket and it’s time to move on.”
Ellis said family has always been first in his life, supporting him throughout his career.
“They have provided moral support forever, my mom and dad (Jo-Ann and Brian), my brother and sister (Matt and Hayley), my girlfriend (Hannah MacDonald) who understands me as well as anybody, and Wendell and Wendy (uncle and aunt) who put up with me working out at their home. I was told Tuesday morning that I would be starting Wednesday, which was enough notice for everyone to get down here,” he said.
He also credited his past coaches and those who provided technical support, especially goalie coach Scott Gouthro who has been mentoring Ellis for the past several years. Gouthro helped the Halifax Oland Exports win the Junior A RBC Cup in 2001-02 before playing semi-pro in the United States until 2005.
“Scott is someone who really helped me get to where I’m at. He is so accommodating and willing to listen to what I have to say and to come back with workable suggestions.”
Ellis said he was probably more nervous than he ever was before the Detroit game, but he trusted his preparation.
“It’s about always being ready for the opportunity. It’s the same as any game, you prepare the same every day. You are at the rink so much that you’re always in the ready state.”
It’s safe to say Ellis has paid his dues.
He started out playing his minor hockey in Cape Breton West before that first venture outside to playing Major Bantam (now U15 Major) with the Novas in Antigonish.
From there he graduated to the Cape Breton West U18 Major Islanders, helping the 2016-17 team win the Telus Cup national championship.
He was drafted by the Rimouski Oceanic that year and played three years there (including playing for Canada in the U18 World championship) before playing his final QMJHL year in Charlottetown, where he was drafted in 2019 – third round – by the St. Louis Blues.
Joining the professional team in 2021, Ellis played for three East Coast Hockey League teams (Worcester Railers, Tulsa Oilers, Orlando Solar Bears) before establishing himself in the American Hockey League with the Springfield Thunderbirds.
He was preparing to start this season in Springfield when St. Louis was required to place him on waivers first. They did so on Sunday, Oct. 12, and he was snapped up the next day by the Sabres among six other goaltenders who were also placed on waivers by their parent teams.
At the time, Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said, “When Ellis became available, he’s someone that, as an organization, we felt really highly about.”
Ellis was out of the lineup in last Sunday’s game against Toronto due to back spasms. He had an MRI on Monday and returned to the lineup for practice that night.
“It was just something minor, nothing really, and I’m ready to go,” he said.
Ellis became the eighth Nova Scotia-born goalie in NHL history – the first from Cape Breton – and the ninth goalie in Sabres history to win his NHL debut.
Buffalo is at Boston tomorrow (Thursday) in a game that is being televised on Sportsnet. They are home to Washington on Saturday.
While we won’t know when Ellis will be scheduled to play next, you can bet that Inverness County hockey fans will be keeping a look out.
