Archive: As 19-Year-Old Maple Leafs Rookie, Ellis Wowed Toronto Teammates And Opponents

The hockey world lost an icon this week with the passing of Hockey Hall of Famer Ron Ellis. And in this feature story from The Hockey News’ November 7, 1964 edition (Vol. 18, Issue 5), Ellis’ impact as a 19-year-old budding star rookie for the Toronto Maple Leafs was on full display.

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Ellis won a Memorial Cup with the Toronto Marlboros before joining the Leafs for the 1964-65 regular season, but he held himself to a very high standard and plainly laid out his expectations for himself to then-Leafs coach-GM Punch Imlach.

“I told Mr. Imlach I’m going to give hockey two years,” Ellis said. “If I can’t make it by then I’m going back to school. I don’t want to be a minor leaguer. It’s up here that counts.”

Ellis had nothing to worry about. Posting 23 goals for the Leafs in just 62 games. He’d go on to win a Stanley Cup in 1966-67, but he had the respect of teammates and opponents alike long before that.

“He won’t be in the minors,” Bruins coach Milt Schmidt said of Ellis. “He’s an excellent skater and he’s powerful.”

Added Imlach: “With kids like this standing by I’ve got no problems.”

ELLIS SETS HOT PACE FOR LEAFS

By THN Staff

TORONTO, Ont. – It has been many years since the Toronto Maple Leafs have come up with a hot rookie to compare with their last big one—Dave Keon. The new face belongs to Ron Ellis.

Ellis, a 19-year-old wing who still has a year of junior eligibility, has cracked the veteran-loaded Toronto team within the time limit he set for himself. “I told Mr. Imlach (coach and general manager of the Leafs) I’m going to give hockey two years,” he said. “If I can’t make it by then I’m going back to school. I don’t want to be a minor leaguer. It’s up here that counts.”

“He won’t be in the minors,” said coach Milt Schmidt of the Bruins. “He’s an excellent skater and he’s powerful.”

In the Leafs’ first seven games Ellis has five goals and one assist and everybody in the Toronto organization is predicting stardom for Ellis. “Ellis is the best prospect I’ve seen in years,” says goalie Terry Sawchuk. Defenseman Bobby Baun says, “Ellis is so strong that he keeps driving at you when you think you’ve got him stopped.” Staff Smythe, president of the Leafs, says, “When you can skate like Ellis you belong in the National League.” And Imlach says, “with kids like this standing by I’ve got no problems.”

Ellis is skating at right wing on a line with Dave Keon at centre and Don McKenney at left wing.

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