Ethan Belchetz of Canada is drafted by the Utah Mammoth with the seventeenth overall pick 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 — In the words of Ron Burgundy, “Boy, that escalated quickly …”
Despite easing into the 2026 NHL draft as one of just a few teams to remain quiet until the beginning of the first round, the Utah Mammoth suddenly became one of the busiest clubs in the league as they made a collection of trades to acquire more picks, moved up two spots, and solidified their backup goaltender.
So, how did they fare on Day 1 of the draft?
Let’s take a closer at each of their moves to get a better sense of how the first round went in Salt Lake City.
After making one of the bigger trades last summer by acquiring 23-year-old forward JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring, Utah’s front office decided they had seen enough from 77 in year one and wanted to move on.
Despite a decent season for the young forward, particularly in regard to his defensive contributions, Peterka simply wasn’t a good fit as he witnessed a 30% regression offensively, dropped into the bottom six, and was eventually benched in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
That cannot happen, especially considering the preseason expectations and sizable contract he was given.
However, once Utah decided it was time for a change, they still got great value for him as they acquired two additional first-round picks and were able to quickly flip one of those for Detroit goaltender Sebastian Cossa.
Notably, moving Peterka also opened up another roster spot for one of the young prospects (Caleb Desnoyers, Tij Iginla, Cole Beaudoin, Daniil But) to claim as several of them are just about NHL ready.
“We’ve got some really good younger players coming & it felt like we had to create a little bit of room for them in some offensive situations,” general manager Bill Armstrong explained.
“To get two first rounders for him is great value … it gives us a lot of flexibility.”
So, while it’s unfortunate that Peterka didn’t work out, the front office made the right choice by moving him.
There was no reason to give Peterka more time to figure things out when trading him allowed them to land a young goaltender they’d coveted for years while simultaneously opening up a chunk of cap space to go hunting for a better fit.
After witnessing 18-year-old forward Ethan Belchetz drop in the early stages of first round, the Utah Mammoth sprang into action by trading the 19th overall pick and a third-round selection in order to move up two spots and select him at No. 17.
“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. … Just his hockey sense at times, 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 are that big with some sense and some ability and some toughness to (him).”
In most mock drafts, Belchetz was expected to go closer to 10 rather than 20.
Given his towering 6-foot-5 frame, immense power, explosive creativity, and complete 200-foot-game, Belchetz wasn’t supposed to be available at 17.
However, as teams continued to pass on him, the Mammoth were gifted an opportunity to draft one of the highest guys on their list.
“I’m so lucky to be drafted to Utah,” he said. “It’s hard to put it into words, but I really can’t wait to get down there and see all the fans and all my future teammates.”
Dominant power forward with a heavy net-front presence, good hands, creativity, high IQ, & a dangerous shot.
Belchetz wasn’t supposed to be available but with a little luck & trading up, Utah added another great first round prospect. Strong pick. pic.twitter.com/hou7wsiHqr
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 27, 2026
Adding yet another high-end prospect to their pool, Utah made the most of the first-round by trading up to acquire a player who easily could’ve gone in the top 10.
Likely passed over because of a clavicle injury he experienced this past season, Belchetz assured the media that he’s 100 percent and is eager to begin contributing for the organization.
“I’m lifting weights, skating, standing in front of the net, taking cross checks and I feel just like normal,” Belchetz said.
“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.”
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
As I was told by Armstrong last year in regard to the NHL draft, “expect the unexpected.”
While this move was certainly one of the unexpected ones, it could end up paying dividends for the Mammoth as they continue to add elite talent to their prospect pool in year six of the rebuild.
“For a third-round pick, we thought it’s worth it to go get a guy we really like,” Utah Mammoth director of amateur scouting Darryl Plandowski said.
“We’re in our development phase where we don’t need quantity. We need quality … especially with Ethan, we really wanted this player.”
Once Utah had selected Belchetz at 17, there was no reason to hang onto the 23rd overall pick from Boston which put them in a spot to flip it for something more valuable.
In desperate need of a solidified backup goaltender, Utah was then able to trade that extra pick for a player they’ve long since coveted.
“(This trade) gives us an opportunity to put a young kid in net that we feel has a chance to really take a step and maybe be the goaltender of the future for us. You never know,” Bill Armstrong said.
“I think he’s going to be a great goaltending partner for Veggie.”
As Armstrong pointed out, the organization has a lot of belief in Cossa to not only be their newest backup, but potentially a goaltender that helps them contend for Stanley Cups down the road.
Rather than continuously signing short-term deals for temporary backups while they wait for Michael Hrabal to be NHL ready, Cossa can and is expected to backup Karel Vejmelka this next season.
Bill Armstrong says that Cossa is ready to be a backup in the National Hockey League.
Added that he’s been a goaltender they’ve been “hunting” for some time. https://t.co/RPZEgTSQkJ
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) June 27, 2026
Additionally, Cossa can also serve as a mentor for Hrabal.
As a player who recently endured that entire process of development, Cossa can serve as a guide for Hrabal as he begins his AHL journey.
If all goes to plan, those could be the two netminders who eventually lead Utah to the promised land of raising Lord Stanley in Salt Lake City.
Mammoth fans should be very pleased with the results of Day 1 (and Day 2 for that matter).
Despite lacking a top 10 pick for the first time since 2020, Utah came away with a borderline top 10 prospect in Belchetz, finally acquired another long-term goaltender they’ve had their eyes on for years, sold relatively high for a player who didn’t pan out, and opened up another $7 million plus in cap space.
That’s an incredibly productive day that addressed immediate needs, long term needs and set them up with even more tools to continue making deals this offseason.
Overall Grade: A
Following the NHL draft, the Utah Mammoth will host their prospect development camp from June 28 to July 2.
On ice sessions will be at the Mammoth Ice Center on Monday & Tuesday at 10 a.m. Monday’s practice will be open to the public.
Prospects will then participate in a 4v4 scrimmage on Thursday at noon.
