Utah Mammoth Select Ethan Belchetz 17th Overall in the 2026 NHL Draft
The Utah Mammoth added size, skill, and offensive upside to their prospect pool Friday night, selecting Windsor Spitfires left winger Ethan Belchetz with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
Belchetz entered the draft as one of the Ontario Hockey League’s premier power forwards after an impressive sophomore campaign with Windsor. Despite missing time due to a shoulder injury, the 6-foot-5 winger produced 59 points (34 goals, 25 assists) in 57 games.
Known for his powerful skating stride, heavy shot, and ability to dominate below the faceoff dots, Belchetz emerged as a player capable of impacting the game in multiple ways. He consistently used his size to create space offensively while developing into a more complete two-way winger throughout the season.
Belchetz’s rise up draft boards accelerated throughout the season as scouts praised his offensive instincts and improved consistency. Before his injury, he was producing at better than a point-per-game pace while playing against the OHL’s top competition.
The Oakville, Ontario native was widely projected as a mid-first-round selection, with many evaluators believing his blend of power-forward attributes and offensive upside could translate well to the professional game.
Belchetz is expected to continue his development before making the jump to professional hockey, giving the Mammoth another cornerstone prospect as the franchise continues building toward long-term success.
The selection marks one of the biggest moments of Belchetz’s young career, transforming the Windsor Spitfires standout from one of the OHL’s top prospects into the newest member of the Utah Mammoth organization.
