BUFFALO, N.Y. — Matt Ellis only needed a few years to go from NHL player to NHL assistant coach.

What You Need To Know

  • Matt Ellis says he's settled into his role as a Sabres assistant coach
  • Ellis originally joined the Sabres staff last September as their director of player development
  • Ellis was promoted to assistant coach on an interim basis in March when Ralph Krueger was fired, and was elevated to a full-time assistant when Don Granato was named head coach

"I stayed involved in the game. I learned the game from a skill development standpoint, but also being close enough to the club in years past," he says about his transition into coaching. "Whether it be summer skates or skill development work in Rochester. I had a feeling this was going to be a direction that I wanted to explore."

Ellis retired from playing five years ago, and after a few years working at HarborCenter as part of the Academy of Hockey, he joined the Sabres in September 2020 as director of player development. Ellis was promoted to an assistant coach in role in March following Ralph Krueger's ouster.

"I'd been on the ice for all practices, including the taxi squad and injury rehabilitation," he says of his seamless transition. "I was very well-versed on the day-to-day. I'd built rapport with the players and new staff members. This was where I needed to be. This was where my purpose was, and maybe where I could make a mark on this game."

Even though he went undrafted as a player, Ellis carved out a 14-year professional career. He wants to bring that hard work and passion to the Sabres, now as a full-time assistant coach.

"We've pushed hard in practice," he says. "We've pushed hard off the ice. There's no better feeling than when guys are asking Donny (Granato) for one more rep when they know the drill's going to get cut down."

That passion might be starting to rub off on the players. Despite some of the lowest expectations in the NHL, the Sabres are 3-0 for the first time since the 2008-2009 season.