Born March 30, 2008, Ethan Belchetz is an 18-year-old, 6’5”, 227 pound left wing playing for the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. Last season, Belchetz finished second on the Spitfires in goals with 34, four behind Rangers prospect Liam Greentree, and pocketed 59 points in 57 games. This doubled Belchetz’s goal production of 17 in his rookie season.
Prior to being selected first overall by the Spitfires in the 2024 OHL draft, Belchetz dominated as a member of the Oakville Rangers U16 team, scoring 46 goals and 84 points in 34 games and added another 16 points in 8 playoff contests, including 9 goals.
“Belchetz is a towering forward who uses his long reach to his advantage offensively and defensively. He’s a strong skater who, when he gains the edge off the rush, is very hard to defend on his way to the crease. Belchetz leans goal scorer more than playmaker. His first instinct generally is to direct pucks on net. He has the hockey sense and ability to be deployed in a variety of roles.” – Jason Bukala, Sportsnet
“Belchetz constantly turns what should be 50:50 puck battles into advantages for him. He has already surpassed his goal total from last year in about half the time and is not far from his point totals. Belchetz is a player you see on cup contending teams (akin to Matthew Tkachuk) who not only impacts the game offensively but also physically in the trenches. Watch for Belchetz to climb even higher on draft boards if he proves to be a playoff performer this spring, as everybody expects him to.” – James Connelly, Dober Prospects
Steven Ellis of The Daily Faceoff quotes one scout referring to Belchetz as a “wrecking ball” and notes the big man’s quick hands, as well as his booming, deceptive shot.
If there are any knocks on Belchetz it seems to be his defensive game, which could still use some work, and his skating, which is typical for a man of Belchetz’s stature. Neither seem to be enough of a detriment to keep Belchetz from being drafted in the early half of the first round. However, one issue may give a few teams pause, and that is the broken clavicle, which ended Belchetz’s season in March. By all accounts, Belchetz is expected to recover, and after Mathew Schaefer’s success being drafted first overall with a similar injury, Belchetz should get his name called early on draft day.
While there are a few centers I would pick first if I had my way, it really comes down to who is still available when the Devils make their selection, and Belchetz is one of a handful of guys I would love to see the Devils select. The Devils lack a truly dynamic power forward and Belchetz would fit that bill, though he would likely take some time before joining the big club.
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