Tyler Ennis (ice hockey)

Junior

Ennis began his major junior career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Medicine Hat Tigers in 2005–06, recording 10 points in a 43-game rookie season. The following season, he became a key contributor to the Tigers' offence with a 26-goal, 50-point campaign. Ennis went on to add 12 points in 20 playoff games as the Tigers defeated the defending WHL champion Vancouver Giants in a seven-game Ed Chynoweth Cup final. The WHL title earned the Tigers a berth in the 2007 Memorial Cup, hosted by the runner-up Giants, whom they met in the tournament final once more, but fell by a 3–1 score. Ennis contributed a team-high four points in four games, fifth in tournament scoring.

The following season, in 2007–08, Ennis' NHL draft year, he ascended to a team-leading 91 points, fourth in league scoring. That off-season, he was selected in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft 26th overall by the Buffalo Sabres. In 2008–09, his fourth season with the Tigers, Ennis was named WHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 22, 2009, after an eight-point performance in three games.^[2] Ennis followed up his player of the week honours with a six-goal performance on February 27, scoring all his team's goals in a 6–2 win against the Prince Albert Raiders. He was just one goal shy of tying the WHL record of seven goals in a game (held by five players).^[3]

Professional

At the 2010 AHL All-Star Game.

He made his NHL debut on November 14, 2009, against the Philadelphia Flyers. He scored his first NHL goal that game against Flyers' goalie Ray Emery.^[4] Ennis spent most of the 2009-10 season with the Portland Pirates of the AHL. He finished the campaign with 23 goals and 42 assists for 65 points. His 23 goals tied for the AHL lead among rookies. At the end of the season, Ennis became the second straight Pirates player selected by the AHL's coaches, players and media to receive the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the top rookie in the AHL, following teammate Nathan Gerbe.^[5] After centre Tim Connolly went out with injury, Ennis was called up for the Sabres' final nine regular season games, ending the NHL regular season with nine points in ten games and earning a spot as a consistent starter in the playoffs for the Sabres. He finished the playoffs with a team-best three assists and tied with Jason Pominville with a team-best four points.

During the 2010–11 season, Ennis played all 82 games registering 20 goals and 29 assists while the Sabres clinched the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference. They battled the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals. Ennis played a key role during this series notching 2 goals and 2 assists including the overtime game-winning goal on Michael Leighton in Game 5. The Sabres were eventually eliminated by the Flyers in Game 7. The following season Ennis was placed on the injured reserve twice for a lingering ankle sprain that first occurred in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ennis rejoined the Sabres after the 2012 NHL All-Star Game. At this time the Sabres were ranked last in the Eastern Conference. In an attempt to shake things up in Buffalo, Coach Lindy Ruff moved Ennis from left wing to centre, his natural position, playing alongside Drew Stafford and rookie Marcus Foligno. Their line caught immediate chemistry leading the Sabres offensively, thriving for a spot in the playoffs. The Sabres ultimately fell short in their quest for the playoffs, finishing 9th. Ennis finished with 15 goals and 19 assists in 48 games.

The following season, while the lock-out lingered on, Ennis, along with best friend Jared Spurgeon, signed to play for the SCL Tigers of the National League A in Switzerland.^[6][7]

On June 23, 2014, Ennis, a restricted free agent, signed a five-year, $23 million contract extension with the Sabres.^[8] Ennis led the Sabres in goals during the 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons with 21 and 20, respectively, but the team finished last in the league both seasons.

Ennis missed most of the 2015–16 with concussion symptoms as a result of two concussions, one from a hit by St. Louis Blues defenceman Robert Bortuzzo and another from a hit by Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin.^[9]

Following his eighth season with the Sabres in 2016–17, Ennis was traded by Buffalo along with Marcus Foligno and a third-round pick in 2018 to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Marco Scandella, Jason Pominville and a fourth round pick in 2018 on June 30, 2017.^[10] In his first season with the Wild in 2017–18 season, Ennis struggled to find his footing within the organization. Used as a depth forward, Ennis compiled 8 goals and 22 points in 73 games and was a frequent healthy scratch through the playoffs in the Wild's first-round defeat.

On June 30, 2018, Ennis was bought out from the remaining year of his initial five-year contract by the Wild, releasing him to free agency.^[11] On July 6, 2018, Ennis was signed as a free agent to a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.^[12]

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2006	Canada Pacific	U17	4th		6	5	4	9	6
2009	Canada	WJC			6	3	4	7	0
2015	Canada	WC			10	4	2	6	0
Junior totals					12	8	8	16	6
Senior totals					10	4	2	6	0