 Ellis began his major junior hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors in 1998.Each subsequent season with the Majors saw Ellis improve his point totals, from 18 the first year, onto 35, 45, and finishing with 38 goals and 51 assists for 89 total points in his final year with Toronto, helping them with the Central Division title.As a result of his OHL performances, the Detroit Red Wings signed the undrafted Ellis as a free agent on May 10, 2002.