goaltender Ray Emery. Ennis spent most of the 2009–10 season with Buffalo's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Portland Pirates. He finished the campaign with 23 goals and 42 assists for 65 points; his 23 goals was 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 team mate Nathan Gerbe the year prior. After Buffalo centre Tim Connolly suffered an 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 Stanley Cup 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 seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, securing a first-round matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2011 playoffs. Ennis played a key role during the series, scoring two goals and two 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 the time, the Sabres were ranked last in the Eastern Conference. In an attempt to shake things up in Buffalo, head 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, vying for a spot in the 2012 playoffs. The Sabres ultimately fell short in their quest for the playoffs, finishing ninth. Ennis finished the season with 15 goals and 19 assists in 48 games. The following season, during the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Ennis (along with best friend Jared Spurgeon) signed to play for the SCL Tigers of the National League A (NLA) in Switzerland. On June 23, 2014, as a restricted free agent, Ennis signed a five-year, $23 million contract extension with the Sabres.