Ellis was never exactly a dynamo, or a top pair dman, but he was always reliable and provided a steady pillar in a team's top-four.
And, because of that it seems the frustration with Ellis' recover, has prompted him to opt for retirement, rather than trying to come back.
Whether or not it holds any weight, is yet to be seen, but if he does in fact retire, nobody will argue that Ellis was very good at what he did and will be missed by the Flyers.