Nashville, Tenn. (September 26, 2014) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed restricted free-agent defenseman Ryan Ellis to a five-year, $12.5 million contract. He will make $1.5 million in 2014-15, $2 million in 2015-16, $2.5 million in 2016-17, $3 million in 2017-18 and $3.5 million in 2018-19.

Ellis, 23 (1/3/91), ranked second on the Predators in games played (80) and plus/minus rating (+9), while ranking third among club blueliners in points (6g-21a-27pts) during the 2013-14 season. In 144 career NHL contests since 2011-12, the 5-10, 179-pound native of Freelton, Ontario, has recorded 44 points (11g-33a).

In May 2014, Ellis played in his first World Championship, leading all Canadian defensemen in points (1g-4a-5pts) and tying for fifth in the tournament in plus/minus rating (+8), continuing an already illustrious international career. He became Canadian ever to win three medals at the World Junior Championship, and with 25 points (5g-20a) in three tournaments, became the all-time leading defensive scorer in the history of the event.

Nashville's first choice, 11th overall (first round), in the 2009 Entry Draft was just the third defenseman in Ontario Hockey League history to record 300 career points (73g-241a-314pts, +145, 207 PIMs, 226 gp) – joining Rick Corriveau (329) and Denis Potvin (330) – when he completed his junior career. He won two Memorial Cups, two OHL titles and 13 individual awards or honors at the OHL or CHL level from 2007-11, including 2011 CHL Player of the Year and 2011 OHL Most Outstanding Player.