Annual Celebration

2006 Annual Celebration to Feature Ron Ellis, Former NHL Professional Athlete

The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester will host the 7th Annual Celebration and Dinner on Monday, October 30, 2006. The Event, held at the Wayfarer Inn and Convention Center in Bedford, will feature guest speaker, Mr. Ron Ellis, 15-year veteran of the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs and 1967 Stanley Cup Championship Team. This well-known professional athlete will share his inspirational story of challenges faced throughout his career as he battled with clinical depression, and the triumphs of his recovery.

Born in Lindsay, Ontario, an hour northeast of Toronto, the young winger impressed coaches and fans in his first NHL season by scoring 23 goals and narrowly losing the Calder Trophy race to Detroit net minder Roger Crozier. In 1966-67, he was one of the youthful troops that supported such legendary old-timers as Red Kelly, Johnny Bower, Terry Sawchuk and George Armstrong. This gritty squad overcame a mediocre regular season to win the Stanley Cup. Ellis provided the crucial first goal in the sixth game of the finals versus Montreal, which the team won 3-1 to take the series in six games.

Prior to the 1968-69 schedule, former Maple Leafs great Irvine "Ace" Bailey insisted that Ellis wear his retired number 6 because he admired his high-caliber yet clean style of play. Ellis resisted rough or dirty tactics while doggedly checking such stars as Bobby Hull and former teammate Frank Mahovlich. Boston Bruins general manager Harry Sinden was another Ellis admirer. He was the impetus behind the Toronto winger's invitation to training camp when Team Canada 1972 was assembled prior to the Summit Series against the Soviets. Despite a serious neck injury suffered in the opening game, Ellis played a strong checking role in all eight games of the series. Between 1966 and 1975, Ellis recorded nine straight 20-goal seasons, but the stress of the NHL grind became too great for him to bear and he retired after scoring 32 goals in 1974-75. During his two-year sabbatical, Ellis pursued a business career that enabled him to gain valuable experience away from the hockey rink. In 1977, Ellis agreed to come to the Toronto Maple Leafs' training camp under new coach Christian Roger Neilson. He reached the 20-goal mark for the team record of 10 straight years and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup semifinals for the first time since winning it all in 1967.

Following his retirement, Ellis continued to work in the business world and eventually returned to the game under the auspices of the Hockey Hall of Fame, where he currently serves as the Director of Public Relations and Assistant to the President.

Proceeds from the Annual Celebration will support the MMH Foundation Endowment, created to provide mental health services into the future for those in need of care. Ticket purchases or table reservations for the Annual Celebration and Dinner can be made by calling, Sandra Seney, Director of Development at 603-668-4111 ext. 4180.