BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Ethan Belchetz of Canada looks on during day one of the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Ethan Belchetz, one of the top forwards available in the 2026 NHL Draft, is the newest Utah Mammoth.
The third-year franchise made a deal with the Los Angeles Kings, jumping from the 19th pick to No. 17 and selecting the 18-year-old Michigan State winger.
The 2026 NHL Draft first round is taking place on Friday, June 26. Rounds 2-7 will be held on Saturday, June 27.
Got our guy. 👊
Welcome to Utah, Ethan! #TusksUp | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/e78I3abHjD
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) June 27, 2026
Ethan Belchetz reacts to being drafted 17th overall by the Utah Mammoth:
“I want them [Utah] to know that I’d do anything to lift the cup over my head and bring a championship to Utah.”
“They deserve it. They’re unbelievable fans. Every single game seems so cool.” pic.twitter.com/vbjyi7KmLB
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 27, 2026
The Kings also receive the 83rd overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft as compensation.
Ethan Belchetz was considered the No. 11 prospect by NHL Network coming into the draft.
The 6’5″ left-winger most recently played for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
Traded 🆙#TusksUp | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/1nSc3zfDtT
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) June 27, 2026
He made the most of his massive frame with a +16 rating in two seasons with the Spitfires.
Belchetz has scored 51 goals and distributed 46 assists in 113 OHL games. His 34 goals were second for the Spitfires in the 2025-26 regular season.
He earned OHL Second-Team All-Rookie recognition after becoming the youngest Spitfire rookie to score four goals in a single game since Taylor Hall. Hall was the NHL’s Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) winner in 2017-18 with Boston, and won his first Stanley Cup this season with the Carolina Hurricanes.
I asked Ethan about his clavicle injury.
He said he’s 100% and he doesn’t even notice it anymore.
“I’m lifting weights, skating, standing in front of the net, taking cross checks and I feel just like normal.” https://t.co/bDQI532LKn
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 27, 2026
The Oakville, Ontario, Canada, native won bronze with Team Canada in the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Belchetz is committed to Michigan State for the 2026-27 season.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Follow him on X. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
All Mammoth games will be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM). Occasionally, KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) also airs Jazz games.
Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
