‘I’m so lucky to be drafted to Utah’: Mammoth trade up to select 6-foot-5 scorer in 2026 NHL Draft

The Utah Mammoth have selected Ethan Belchetz with the No. 17 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Belchetz, a 6-foot-5 winger, scored a little more than a point per game with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League this season. Most draft outlets had him going in the 9-13 range, so when he fell to 17, Utah’s management saw an opportunity.

The Mammoth acquired pick No. 17 from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for picks 19 and 83.

“It’s such an awesome organization and it’s such a great spot,” Belchetz told the media in a virtual press conference moments after being drafted.

He said he’d met with the Mammoth throughout the year, including a “really good” interview at the draft combine, so it was no surprise to him that they were interested.

“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.”

When asked what he wanted Mammoth fans to know about him, he gave the ultimate competitor’s answer.

“I want them to know I’d do anything to lift the (Stanley) Cup over my head and bring a championship to the (state) of Utah,” he said. “They deserve it there. They’re unbelievable fans. Every single game seems so cool and I can’t wait to get down there.”

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Belchetz’s older sister, Taylor, is a goalie playing for the University of Connecticut. He credits her with a lot of his success, having grown up shooting on her.

Ethan Belchetz is committed to Michigan State for next season. Windsor, where he played this season, is the former home of Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev. The two have not yet met, but Belchetz said spoke highly of Sergachev’s reputation around the city.

“My favorite part about his game is his touch and feel and understanding of the game,” said Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong. “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 with some sense and some ability and some toughness to (him).”

The trade was Utah’s second deal of the evening, after sending JJ Peterka to the Boston Bruins in exchange for pick No. 23 and a conditional 2028 first-round pick.