Prospect Profile: Tyler Ennis

Coming into the 2010-2011 NHL season, the Buffalo Sabres have several open roster spots, particularly for forwards. One likely candidate to fill a spot seems to be left-winger Tyler Ennis, who played with the Sabres’ AHL club last season.

Although all of their defense spots seem to be filled, the Sabres still have several forward roster spots open, and 20-year-old Tyler Ennis will challenge for one of these spots at training camp in October.

The Edmonton, Alberta native was drafted by the Sabres 26th overall in 2008. After the draft, he continued his WHL career, playing his fourth season with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He was named to the WHL East First All-Star Team in 2008, and in 2008-09, he tallied 43 goals and 42 assists in 61 games, or an impressive average of 1.393443 points per game.

In 2009, Ennis played along with future teammate and fellow Sabres draft pick Tyler Myers on Team Canada in the World Junior Championships. Ennis had 3 goals and 4 assists in 6 games.

Last season, Ennis played mostly with the Portland Pirates of the AHL. He played in the 2010 AHL All-Star Game and received the MVP award. Ennis was named 2009-10 AHL Rookie of the Year and was also selected to the AHL All-Rookie Team.

He was recalled by the Sabres twice and scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game on November 14th against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Ennis had 23 goals and 42 assists in 69 games with Portland, and was recalled again by the Sabres on March 27th. He remained with the team for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs. In 10 NHL games, he has 3 goals and 6 assists.

The 20-year-old (October 6, 1989) is a quick skating forward and pure offensive talent who will fit in nicely on the NHL squad. At 5-9 and 163 pounds, he may have trouble getting physically involved in the game, but knows how to develop a play and score goals.

Looking at the current Sabres roster, there’s one thing they are severely lacking: left-wingers. The only left-wing roster spot that is filled at the moment is that of Thomas Vanek. Tim Kennedy, Matt Ellis, and Raffi Torres were all left-wingers, but none have been re-signed by the team. Since Ennis is a left-wing, he would fill the spot nicely, and could provide some depth and speed for the young team. Ennis would be the second youngest player on the team, as he is roughly four months older than Myers.

Coming into training camp this September, the organization will surely be looking to place Ennis on a permanent roster spot. He had an impressive campaign last semester in his time with the Sabres and an impressive career thus far, including a World Juniors gold medal and MVP honors at the AHL All-Star Game.

A full season in the NHL could easily lead to a Calder trophy for this Alberta native if he continues to produce as much as he has in the past.

Melissa Kania
NHLHS Buffalo Sabres Correspondent
mkania@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @melissakania