Nashville, Tenn. (December 26, 2011) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has recalled defenseman Ryan Ellis from Milwaukee (AHL). The Freelton, Ont., native is scheduled to make his NHL debut tonight against the Detroit Red Wings.

Ellis, 20 (1/3/91), is tied for ninth among American Hockey League defensemen, and tied for first among rookie blueliners, in points with 17 (4g-13a) in 26 games. One of the most decorated defensemen in Canadian Hockey League history, Ellis became just the third d-man 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) a season ago, winning the 2011 Red Tilson Trophy awarded to the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player of the Year, the 2011 Max Kaminsky Trophy for the second time in three years as the League’s Most Outstanding Defenseman of the Year and the Mickey Renaud Captain’s Trophy for leadership on and off the ice.

The 11th overall (first round) selection in the 2009 Entry Draft is also one of just seven players to represent Canada at three straight World Junior Championships (2009, 2010 and 2011), and just the fourth Canadian ever to win three medals at the WJC. With 25 points (5g-20a) in three tournaments, he is the all-time leading defensive scorer in the history of the event.

Fresh off the two-day Christmas break, the Predators will look to make it six consecutive home victories tonight when they host the Detroit Red Wings (7 p.m. Fox Sports Tennessee, 102.5 The Game). The Preds will continue to enjoy home cooking for the majority of the next two-plus weeks with seven of their next nine game to be played on Bridgestone Arena ice. Tickets are available and may be purchased at nashvillepredators.com, ticketmaster.com or by calling 615-770-PUCK (7825).