It’s that time of the year for The Win Column’s NHL Draft Rankings and Draft Profiles! Earlier on, we released the TWC consolidated 2026 NHL Draft rankings. The 2026 NHL Draft will take place on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo
To round up the top ten is Ethan Belchetz. The Canadian forward has put up a strong season in the OHL and is projected to be a potential top-six winger at the NHL level, whose game is based on creativity and scoring.
Who is Ethan Belchetz?
| Player | Position | Shoots | Height | Weight | Born | Nationality | 2026 Draft Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethan Belchetz | LW | Left | 6’5″ / 196 cm | 227 lbs 103 kg | March 30th, 2008 | Canada | TWC rank #10 | CS rank #9 NA |
Belchetz developed through the Ontario minor hockey system before transitioning into the OHL, where he quickly established himself as an offensive contributor. He has been used in a skill-focused role, often playing with other top players and seeing power-play time. His development path has emphasized offence, allowing his creativity and scoring ability to stand out early
Belchetz’s on-ice production
| Year | Draft Rel. | League | Team | GP | G | A | P | P/GP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | D-2 | SCTA U15 | Oakville Rangers U15 AAA | 33 | 20 | 22 | 42 | 1.4 |
| 2023-24 | D-1 | OMHA U16 | Oakville Rangers U16 AAA | 34 | 46 | 38 | 84 | 2.47 |
| 2024-25 | D+0 | OHL | Windsor Spitfires | 56 | 17 | 21 | 38 | 0.68 |
| 2025-26 | Draft yr | OHL | Windsor Spitfires | 57 | 34 | 25 | 59 | 1.0 |
Belchetz’s production has followed a clear upward trajectory, with strong point totals relative to his age and role. Early in his junior career, he produced at a high rate in more sheltered offensive minutes, often playing in scoring situations and benefiting from power-play usage.
His strong performance in his draft year shows his encouraging production and trajectory. Belchetz has played in offensive roles and with skilled linemates, which has helped drive production. However, his output is not purely situational. He generates offence through individual skill, particularly off the rush and in transition, which makes his production more translatable
Belchetz’s strengths
Offensive instinct and scoring touch
Belchetz has a strong sense of timing in the offensive zone. He does not arrive early and get covered, and he does not stay late and miss the play. He times his routes into the slot or weak-side areas so that he becomes available just as the puck arrives. This makes him a consistent scoring option even when he is not carrying the puck.
His shot is deceptive rather than overpowering. He can shoot off either foot, change release points, and get pucks off quickly before defenders can close. Off the rush, he is especially dangerous because he does not need to slow down to shoot, which forces defenders to respect both his shot and his ability to cut inside.
Around the net, he shows strong puck tracking and quick reactions. He can adjust his hands quickly to finish rebounds or deflections, and does not need a perfect setup to score, which adds to his offensive value.
Playmaking and vision
Belchetz’s playmaking comes from his ability to draw pressure and read reactions. When defenders collapse on him, he is able to quickly identify open teammates and move the puck into those areas. He does not force passes blindly. He waits for lanes to open and delivers pucks with good timing.
On the half wall, he is comfortable holding onto the puck and scanning the ice. He can extend plays by delaying slightly, allowing teammates to rotate into better positions. This patience helps create more dangerous opportunities rather than settling for low-percentage plays.
He also shows good touch on short-area passes. In tight spaces, he can make quick, accurate plays that keep the puck moving and prevent defenders from resetting. While he is not a primary playmaker yet, his vision adds another layer to his offensive game.
Belchetz’s areas of improvement
Defensive awareness
Belchetz’s defensive inconsistencies are tied to his habits away from the puck. In transition, his first few steps back are not always urgent, which can leave him trailing the play. He sometimes takes wider routes instead of cutting directly back through the middle, which opens space for opposing attackers.
In the defensive zone, he can lose track of his assignment when play moves quickly. He tends to watch the puck rather than scanning for threats behind him, which can lead to missed coverage on backdoor plays or late reactions to slot movement. This is more of a processing habit than a physical limitation.
There are also shifts where his engagement level drops defensively. He will stay higher in the zone or delay his support, which puts more pressure on his teammates. Improving his consistency and awareness in these situations will be important for earning trust at higher levels.
Physical play and engagement
Belchetz’s lack of physical strength shows up most clearly in extended puck battles. Along the boards, he can be knocked off pucks when defenders lean on him, especially when he does not have space to use his hands or mobility. He often tries to spin off contact rather than absorb it, which can lead to lost possession.
He also does not consistently initiate contact. On the forecheck, he will angle well but does not always finish plays physically, allowing defenders to recover or move the puck. This limits his ability to create turnovers and extend offensive pressure.
In net-front areas, he relies more on positioning than physicality. While this works at times, stronger defenders can move him out of scoring areas. Adding strength and becoming more comfortable playing through contact will be important for his development. Belchetz is also 6’5”, so using his immense size to aid in physicality will only level up his game.
Belchetz’s comparables
| Scenario | NHL Comparable | Position | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best case | Brady Tkachuk | Forward | Strong physical potential |
| Likely outcome | James Van Riemsdyk | Forward | Offensive positioning and physical potential |
James Van Riemsdyk is a likely comparison because of how Belchetz projects to generate offence through positioning and touch rather than pace. Like Van Riemsdyk, he finds soft areas in coverage, establishes net-front presence, and converts chances with quick hands in tight. Both players rely on timing and spatial awareness to produce, rather than driving play off the rush.
Brady Tkachuk would be the best-case scenario. Belchetz shows flashes of attacking inside, winning positioning near the crease, and using his frame to generate scoring chances, which aligns with Tkachuk’s style. Both can impact the game by playing through traffic rather than around it. If Belchetz becomes more physical as he develops, the comparison becomes more prominent.
Fit with the Flames
| Organizational need addressed | Top-six winger |
| Realistic pick range | 8-10 |
| NHL timeline | 2 to 3 seasons |
| Flames fit verdict | Possible fit |
While Belchetz would certainly be available for when the Flames get their chance to pick, he may not be the correct player to choose, especially in the top three. The Flames don’t exactly need more wingers in their system, unless they’re projected to be elite. While Belchetz would certainly be one of the best wingers in the Flames’ system, he doesn’t exactly fulfill a dire organizational need for the team, and he isn’t exactly projected to be the game-changing forward that the Flames desperately need. Since the Flames are very likely going to be picked in the top five, there are players with potentially higher ceilings available. Belchetz shouldn’t take too long to reach the NHL, likely in 2-3 seasons, assuming his development continues to improve as he continues his jounrey throughout the OHL and beyond.
Summary
Belchetz is an offensively gifted winger who creates chances through skill, pace, and creativity. His strengths in puck handling, scoring, and transition play give him clear top-six potential. The main question is whether he can round out his game enough to handle tougher minutes. If he does, he could become a high-impact offensive player who further develops into a strong top-six option on the wing.
Check out all of The Win Column’s individual player profiles of selected 2026 NHL Draft prospects: