Which port to North Dakota?

One of my ancestors, Simen Thorsteinsen/Thompson is leaving for North Dakota via Hull on 12. april 1901 and may 25. 1906. However I can't find him in the Ellis Island database. I know he could be well hidden due to misprintings and odd spellings, but would it be a natural route to go to Canada in stead of New York if he was heading for Wells county, North Dakota? Per Helge Seglsten