COLTEN ELLIS #35

Notes accurate as of Sept. 1, 2026

PRONUNCIATION: EHL-ihs, KOHL-tuhn 

CONTRACT STATUS: Signed through 2026-27 ($775,000 AAV)

CAREER TRANSACTIONS: Claimed by Buffalo off waivers from St. Louis on Oct. 6, 2025; Selected by St. Louis in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  

  • Appeared in 42 games with Springfield (AHL) in 2024-25 and tallied a 22-14-3 record, a .922 save percentage and a 2.63 goals-against average.
  • Ranked fourth among all qualified AHL goaltenders in save percentage in the 2024-25 regular season and third in the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs (.933).
  • Set new single-season AHL career highs in wins (22) and shutouts (3) in 2024-25.
  • Registered the first shutout of his AHL career on Jan. 15, 2025
  • Made his AHL debut, made 28 saves and earned the first win of his AHL career on Nov. 6, 2021 at Bridgeport as a member of the Springfield Thunderbirds.
  • Posted a .931 save percentage and a win in his NHL debut on Oct. 22, 2025 vs. Detroit, the sixth-highest save percentage of any goaltender making their NHL debut with Buffalo in franchise history. 
  • Became the ninth rookie goaltender in Sabres history, and the first since Devon Levi on Dec. 9, 2023, to record a shootout win on Nov. 29, 2025 vs. Minnesota. 
  • Among all NHL rookie goaltenders with at least five games played in 2025-26, ranked fourth in save percentage (.903) and even-strength save percentage (.908).

AMATEUR HIGHLIGHTS:  

  • Led all QMJHL goaltenders in goals-against average (1.78) and save percentage (.926) and was named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team as a member of the Charlottetown Islanders in 2020-21.
  • Posted a 33-8-6 record, a .913 save percentage and a 2.35 goals-against average in 51 games with Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) and was named to the QMJHL All-Rookie Team and the QMJHL Second All-Star Team in 2017-18. Earned the Raymond Lagace Trophy as the QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:  

  • N/A

NHL FIRSTS

Game: 10/22/25 vs. DET

Win: 10/22/25 vs. DET

Shutout: 4/9/26 vs. CBJ

AWARDS & HONORS

Professional:

N/A

International:

2017-18 QMJHL All-Rookie Team

2017-18 QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year (Raymond Lagace Trophy)

2017-18 QMJHL Second All-Star Team

2020-21 QMJHL First All-Star Team

Amateur:

N/A