Spitfire Spotlight with the Newest Windsor Spitfire, Ethan Belchetz
The Windsor Spitfires have drafted Ethan Belchetz with the first pick overall of the 2024 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. The announcement was made during a press conference at the WFCU Centre on April 11.
The Spitfires finished the 2023-2024 OHL regular season with the second-worst record in the 20-team league with an 18-42-5-3 slate. Only the Niagara IceDogs finished with a worse record.
Windsor, however, won the OHL Draft lottery on March 27 that included all four non-playoff teams, including the Peterborough Petes and Sarnia Sting in addition to the Spitfires and IceDogs, giving them the opportunity to select Belchetz, a native of Oakville, Ontario.
Already a physically-imposing 6’5”, 230-lbs, the 16-year-old left-winger was a key player for the Oakville Rangers as they won the 2024 OHL Cup earlier this month. Belchetz was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the annual showcase of prospect players for the OHL.
Belchetz sat down to talk to John Humphrey, In Play! Magazine’s Ontario Hockey League editor, moments after stepping down from the podium at the WFCU Centre.
In Play! Magazine: Talk about the emotions you are experiencing today.
Ethan Belchetz: It’s amazing! It is a honour and a privilege to be here today. This is a dream come true to be drafted first overall in the OHL Draft by such an historic organization. The Windsor Spitfires have sent a lot of players to the National Hockey League over the years and I hope to be another one.
In Play! Magazine: What type of player are the Spitfires getting in Ethan Belchetz?
Ethan Belchetz: I would say that I am a strong, physical, power forward who uses his size to his advantage to create offensive opportunities for myself and my teammates. I play a two-way, 200-foot game and I like to back-check hard too.
In Play! Magazine: Are there any areas of your game that need improvement?
Ethan Belchetz: There is always room for improvement in everyone’s game and the biggest thing that I have to work on is my first-step speed, agility and just making moves quicker. As a big guy, these can be difficult but I am going to dedicate myself all summer to improving as much as I can so I can succeed at the OHL level.
In Play! Magazine: What kind of student are you?
Ethan Belchetz: I would say that I am a pretty good student as I carry about an 85-90 average in most of my (grade ten) classes. I like to focus on my education when I’m not working out or at the rink.
In Play! Magazine: Did you ever consider by-passing the OHL and perhaps go play college hockey in the United States?
Ethan Belchetz: We looked at every single path and flipped every stone to get all the information that we could for myself and my family and we decided that this (OHL) was the best plan for us as a family.
The Windsor Spitfires are a great organization and I am super-excited to get started with them.
In Play! Magazine: Your family seems to be very important to you. Who was here with you to take in this experience today?
Ethan Belch: They are! Everyone in my family is here – my mother – Tanya, my father – Lance, my sisters – Maddie and Taylor and my little brother, Luke. They mean everything to me and they are super-supportive of me too. I wouldn’t be here today if it was not for them!
In Play! Magazine: Who is your favourite NHL player, and why?
Ethan Belchetz: Mathew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers). I like to think that I play a lot like him – a big, physical power forward.
In Play! Magazine: Who is your favourite NHL team?
Ethan Belchetz: The Toronto Maple Leafs. My dad has always liked the Leafs and I grew up liking the Leafs too. They are also my hometown team.
In Play! Magazine: Do you have any hobbies?
Ethan Belchetz: I like to go golfing with my friends and I’m going to do a lot of that this summer as it might be the last full summer that I spend in Oakville for awhile.
In Play! Magazine: (laughing) Are you an avid golfer because your favourite NHL team is usually out on the golf course at this time of year?
Ethan Belchetz: (laughs) No! And I don’t think they will be out of the play-offs as early this year too. It’s the Leafs – ride or die.
In Play! Magazine: What’s your backup plan if the NHL doesn’t end up being a career for you?
Ethan Belchetz: The business side of the world has always intrigued me and I would have to sit down with my family and think things over. But going to university and taking a few business courses would probably be a good start for me.
Welcome to Windsor Ethan Belchetz!