\u201cWe didn\u2019t think he was going to be in our range, and we were so excited at where he was lying in the draft that we had to move forward to go get him,\u201d general manager Bill Armstrong said. \u201cHe was a prime target when we saw him in that range. We\u2019re gonna make sure we do everything in our power to go out there, move forward, and get him.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a team that has so many first-round picks within their organization, the Mammoth didn\u2019t need Belchetz. However, there\u2019s a reason why Armstrong and the team are excited about their newest first-round pick. Despite being an offensively gifted player, he\u2019s a different player from Caleb Desnoyers. He\u2019s a different player from Tij Iginla. Belchetz could be the completing jewel in the Mammoth\u2019s future top six and one that will make the team a hard one to play against.<\/p>\n
A Top Six Power Forward in the Making<\/p>\n
When Belchetz heard the Mammoth traded up for the 17th overall pick, he had a feeling that his name would be called soon. That feeling ended up being correct as one of his biggest dreams came true.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs soon as they kind of traded up for that pick, I had a good feeling,\u201d Belchetz said. \u201cIt\u2019s such an awesome organization and such a great spot. As soon as I heard the \u2018win\u2019 in Windsor, I already started standing up and heard my family. My mom was kind of screaming, and then I heard all my family and friends up in the stands screaming and getting loud. It was a really special experience I\u2019ll remember for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a moment well deserved<\/a>. Belchetz was coming off a great season with the Ontario Hockey League\u2019s (OHL) Windsor Spitfires with 59 points in 57 games. 34 of those points were goals, and seven of those were game winners, the ninth highest in the OHL. Most of Belchetz\u2019s goals came at even strength, showing the forward doesn\u2019t rely on the power play to produce.<\/p>\n Belchetz slipping in the draft was somewhat of a surprise. However, the main problem was that the forward only played 59 games last season. That was due to a broken left clavicle sustained during a practice<\/a>. It forced him to miss the rest of the regular season, the playoffs, and the draft combine. However, Belchetz stated that he feels normal again, also noting he\u2019s back to skating and working out.<\/p>\n As mentioned, Belchetz produces well. However, the thing that attracted teams like the Mammoth to him is that he\u2019s a power forward. His physicality is what helped the Spitfires clinch a playoff spot. Belchetz uses his height and weight to his advantage, and it showed this past season. He racked up 45 penalty minutes, had two fights, and isn\u2019t afraid to lay the body to protect the puck.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to put everything out there and bring to the table what I can do,\u201d Belchetz said. \u201cI\u2019m a physical, skilled forward, and I want to show that I\u2019m a competitive player who wants to win and doesn\u2019t let anyone take the puck from me.\u201d<\/p>\n Belchetz is a very similar player to Lawson Crouse<\/a>. Both use their bigger frame to their advantage, both offensively and defensively. Belchetz is able to create his own pathway through the ice because of that. Arguably, he has better offensive skills than Crouse, topped off with a lethal shot. All of that, combined with great hockey IQ and the ability to score consistently, makes him a future top player on the Mammoth.<\/p>\n \u201cMy favorite part about his game is his touch and feel and understanding of the game,\u201d Armstrong said. \u201cAround the net, he\u2019s got some ability to score. His hockey sense- he just knows when to go in there to get the puck, and when the puck\u2019s lying around, he\u2019s got some scoring ability. It\u2019s hard to find guys like that who are that big was with some sense and some ability and some toughness too.\u201d<\/p>\n More than likely, Belchetz\u2019s development will take another big step forward in the next year. He\u2019s committed to Michigan State for the 2026-27 season<\/a>. While his production will likely go down with the NCAA being a more challenging league, players who go the college route often get better and are more ready for the NHL because of the better competition.<\/p>\n For the Mammoth, as mentioned, they don\u2019t necessarily need a bunch of first-round picks anymore. That was reaffirmed with the trade of the 23rd overall pick for Sebastian Cossa<\/a>. However, with Belchetz, they didn\u2019t really have a future power forward at the level he\u2019s at. The Mammoth really liked the player, and so they got him.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re in our development phase where we don\u2019t need quantity; we need quality,\u201d Mammoth director of amateur scouting Darryl Plandowski said. \u201cWith Ethan, we really wanted this player. He\u2019s a big player, but he\u2019s a good player, former number one pick in the OHL. There\u2019s a reason he was a number one pick.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just the on-ice stuff that Belchetz brings. He\u2019s known to be a great teammate as well, not afraid to fight his opponents if they\u2019re pushed around. If that doesn\u2019t say enough, instead of flying straight to Salt Lake City after he was drafted, Belchetz stuck around the whole second day of the draft to watch his teammates get selected<\/a>. That supportive personality is something any team would love to add.<\/p>\n An Early Urge to Win<\/p>\n After the second day of the draft concluded, Belchetz flew to Utah to take part in the Mammoth\u2019s development camp. There, he got to see his future NHL home for the first time. He is the first player to be drafted by the Mammoth to experience the new practice facility right off the bat, and he was impressed, to say the least.<\/p>\n \u201cYou step into this facility, and it\u2019s unbelievable,\u201d Belchetz said. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen anything like it. The lounge area, the room, and the gym are so special, and it\u2019s super cool to meet all the guys.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking of meeting his new teammates, Belchetz did get texts from Crouse and Clayton Keller<\/a>. Being at development camp, the forward has also had the chance to meet some former draft picks, like Desnoyers, Iginla, and Cole Beaudoin. Throughout the week, all the prospects will get the chance to further bond through group activities like bowling, things that will help Belchetz quickly fit in with his future teammates.<\/p>\n Being in Utah already will also give Belchetz the chance to find out ways to improve his game this summer. He\u2019s already spoken to team nutritionists about how to get faster and leaner. It shows how committed he is to getting better.<\/p>\n First on ice look at Ethan Belchetz at the Mammoth Ice Center. #TusksUp<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/WizSvfiFe2<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Ethan](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Ethan-Belchetz-Mammoth-1200x900.jpg\")
Ethan Belchetz, Utah Mammoth (Amy Irvin<\/a> \/ The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n
![\"Ethan](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Windsor-Spitfires-forward-Ethan-Belchetz-1200x814.jpg\")
Windsor Spitfires\u2019 forward Ethan Belchetz (David Jewell \/ The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n