Defenceman Morgan Ellis brings a championship season with him to the American Hockey League.

Ellis, a member of the Memorial-Cup winning Shawinnigan Cataractes last season, showed up at Brossard with the rest of the Montreal Canadiens' prospects for day one of Hamilton Bullodgs' training camp: which consisted of a series of physical and medical tests, both in the exercise room and on the turf at the Bell Sports Complex.

This is year one for Ellis as a member of the Bulldogs, after a half season with Shawinigan and three-and-one-half seasons with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.  Ellis ended up winning a championship in Shawinigan, and spent some of the off-season enjoying the fruits of his team's labours.

"It was excited to be at the banner raising in Shawinigan," said Ellis. "I get chills down my spine.  It was a long time coming for Shawinigan and I'm glad I could be part of it."

Ellis also had a chance to bring the Memorial Cup to his hometown of East Bideford, a tiny community in PEI. 

Well, not THE Memorial Cup.

"The Cup got damaged a little bit. i didn't get the real Cup. I got a little souvenir miniture one, I guess.  It was better than nothing and I got to bring it home. It was pretty special."

A total of 42 players are taking part in 'Dogs training camp.  The scene shifts to Sherbrooke tomorrow through Wednesday, when the 'Dogs will take part in a series of practices and intra-squad games.