Ryan Ellis inked a three-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators, the team announced on Monday.Ryan Ellis inked a three-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators, the team announced on Monday. (Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

The Nashville Predators have locked up their first round choice in the 2009 entry draft, signing defenceman Ryan Ellis to a three-year entry level contract.

The 18-year-old Hamilton, Ont., native helped Windsor Spitfires of the OHL win the 2009 Memorial Cup and Ontario Hockey League titles a season ago, and was named to the Memorial Cup all-star team in the process.

Ellis was also part of the gold medal win for Canada at the 2009 World Junior Championships, notching seven points in six tournament games.

He was the 11th choice overall in last year's draft after leading all OHL defencemen in points (89), goals (22) and assists (67) in 2008-09 en route to winning the 2009 Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL's most outstanding defenceman.

So far this season, Ellis has suited up in seven games for the Spitfires and has posted 10 assists and a plus-7 rating.