Ethan Belchetz Excited to Bring Grit and Offense to Mammoth

Ethan Belchetz was never supposed to be able to be drafted by the Utah Mammoth. Widely projected to be drafted within the top 10, it seemed like the Mammoth, with the 19th overall pick, wouldn’t even sniff the potential to draft the 18-year-old forward. 

However, the first round started, and Belchetz started slipping. The Mammoth, watching with interest, knew if he continued falling in the draft, they would do anything in their power to get him. They did just that, trading up with the Los Angeles Kings to get the 17th overall pick. With that, Belchetz’s future was sealed.

“We didn’t 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,” general manager Bill Armstrong said. “He was a prime target when we saw him in that range. We’re gonna make sure we do everything in our power to go out there, move forward, and get him.”

For a team that has so many first-round picks within their organization, the Mammoth didn’t need Belchetz. However, there’s a reason why Armstrong and the team are excited about their newest first-round pick. Despite being an offensively gifted player, he’s a different player from Caleb Desnoyers. He’s a different player from Tij Iginla. Belchetz could be the completing jewel in the Mammoth’s future top six and one that will make the team a hard one to play against.

A Top Six Power Forward in the Making

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.

“As soon as they kind of traded up for that pick, I had a good feeling,” Belchetz said. “It’s such an awesome organization and such a great spot. As soon as I heard the ‘win’ 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’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

It was a moment well deserved. Belchetz was coming off a great season with the Ontario Hockey League’s (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’s goals came at even strength, showing the forward doesn’t rely on the power play to produce.

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. 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’s back to skating and working out.

As mentioned, Belchetz produces well. However, the thing that attracted teams like the Mammoth to him is that he’s 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’t afraid to lay the body to protect the puck.

“I’m going to put everything out there and bring to the table what I can do,” Belchetz said. “I’m a physical, skilled forward, and I want to show that I’m a competitive player who wants to win and doesn’t let anyone take the puck from me.”

Belchetz is a very similar player to Lawson Crouse. 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.

“My favorite part about his game is his touch and feel and understanding of the game,” Armstrong said. “Around the net, he’s got some ability to score. His hockey sense- he just knows when to go in there to get the puck, and when the puck’s lying around, he’s got some scoring ability. It’s hard to find guys like that who are that big was with some sense and some ability and some toughness too.”

More than likely, Belchetz’s development will take another big step forward in the next year. He’s committed to Michigan State for the 2026-27 season. 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.

For the Mammoth, as mentioned, they don’t necessarily need a bunch of first-round picks anymore. That was reaffirmed with the trade of the 23rd overall pick for Sebastian Cossa. However, with Belchetz, they didn’t really have a future power forward at the level he’s at. The Mammoth really liked the player, and so they got him.

“We’re in our development phase where we don’t need quantity; we need quality,” Mammoth director of amateur scouting Darryl Plandowski said. “With Ethan, we really wanted this player. He’s a big player, but he’s a good player, former number one pick in the OHL. There’s a reason he was a number one pick.”

It’s not just the on-ice stuff that Belchetz brings. He’s known to be a great teammate as well, not afraid to fight his opponents if they’re pushed around. If that doesn’t 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. That supportive personality is something any team would love to add.

An Early Urge to Win

After the second day of the draft concluded, Belchetz flew to Utah to take part in the Mammoth’s 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.

“You step into this facility, and it’s unbelievable,” Belchetz said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. The lounge area, the room, and the gym are so special, and it’s super cool to meet all the guys.”

Speaking of meeting his new teammates, Belchetz did get texts from Crouse and Clayton Keller. 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.

Being in Utah already will also give Belchetz the chance to find out ways to improve his game this summer. He’s already spoken to team nutritionists about how to get faster and leaner. It shows how committed he is to getting better.

First on ice look at Ethan Belchetz at the Mammoth Ice Center. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/WizSvfiFe2

— Chase Beardsley (@ChaseBeardsley_) June 29, 2026

On that topic, it’s unlikely Belchetz will be in the NHL next season, especially with the lack of roster spots available and his commitment to Michigan State. However, that’s a narrative he wants to prove wrong. Belchetz wants to give the Mammoth every reason possible to keep him in Salt Lake City going into late September.

“I already have that expectation for myself (to make the NHL roster),” Belchetz said. “I’m a big guy; I have the size already, and I’m going to do everything to take that spot and earn a job for myself.”

From here on out, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Mammoth begin trading their first-round picks as they enter their window of contention. Ever since Armstrong took over, the team has pretty much drafted their top six for the long-term future. Belchetz rounds out that group of Desnoyers, Iginla, and Beaudoin, adding a needed physical presence to that group.

Grabbing Belchetz is one of the final pieces for a team that Armstrong expects to win a Stanley Cup one day. It wasn’t a piece that they desperately needed, but it’s one the Mammoth wanted and now love already.

“I love his game,” Armstrong said. “He thinks the game at a high level. He’s a big man. He can do a little bit of the nasty sometimes and take care of business, too. He’s a great kid. We did a lot of work on him…We love who he is. We love the size, the hockey sense, and the ability to play. It’s often hard. He’s going to fit right into our culture.”

While the forward might not be in the NHL for another year or so, his urge to help the team win is already there. It’s something that every Mammoth prospect in the past few years has strongly stated after being drafted, and Belchetz is no different. It’s a strong showing of the team’s winning culture and of who they select to add to that. Fans will be excited that Belchetz will be a big part of the team’s locker room, and he’s someone who will give it his all every night to help the Mammoth win the Stanley Cup.

“I want them (the fans) to know I’ll do anything to lift the cup over my head and bring a championship to Utah,” Belchetz said. “They deserve it. They’re unbelievable fans. Every single game seems so cool, and I can’t wait to get down there at development camp and see the fans firsthand.”