Michigan State Lands Another First-Round NHL Draft Pick as Ethan Belchetz Goes No. 17 Overall to Utah

It’s been a fantastic night for incoming Spartans and Michigan State hockey fans alike.

With three future Spartans selected in the top 17 picks of the 2026 NHL Draft, it has been another statement night for Adam Nightingale and the Spartans. It all started with Chase Reid, who was selected seventh overall by the Seattle Kraken. Shortly after, skilled Russian forward Nikita Klepov heard his name called 15th overall by the Anaheim Ducks.

Now it was bruising left winger Ethan Belchetz’s turn.

With the 17th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Utah Mammoth selected Belchetz, giving Michigan State its third first-round draft pick of the night.

The Mammoth are adding an incoming Spartan who is poised to be one of the top wingers in college hockey this season and one of the game's brightest young prospects. His combination of size, strength, and offensive ability made him one of the most intriguing players available in the draft, ultimately landing him in Utah's organization.

Mammoth fans are going to love having Belchetz in their prospect pipeline, and they'll have the opportunity to watch him develop throughout the upcoming season in East Lansing.

At Michigan State, Belchetz steps into a role that was previously occupied by Porter Martone.

Martone arrived in East Lansing and immediately took the Big Ten and college hockey by storm, lighting up the league before signing with the Philadelphia Flyers late in the season and joining their pursuit of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While Spartans fans were understandably disappointed to see Martone depart after just one season, Belchetz has all the tools to become the next fan favorite. His physical style, relentless motor, and ability to light the lamp have already drawn comparisons to Martone. While his current player comparison may be Martone, Belchetz is his own player and will carve out his own path to success.

Just three years ago, Belchetz appeared in a single game for the Hamilton Kilty B's of the GOJHL.

During the 2024-25 season, he joined the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League and put together an impressive rookie campaign. Belchetz recorded 17 goals and 21 assists for 38 points in 56 games while finishing with a minus-three rating and 48 penalty minutes.

After an offseason of development, Belchetz returned looking like a completely different player.

In 57 games this past season, he doubled his goal total, finishing with 34 goals. He also improved his playmaking, adding 25 assists to finish with 59 points on the season. Perhaps even more impressive was the growth in his all-around game, as his plus/minus rating jumped from minus-three to plus-19.

At 18 years old, Belchetz already possesses NHL-ready size at 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds. He's a force on the ice who never hesitates to throw his body around or jump into the middle of the action. His physicality immediately stands out, but his hockey IQ and knack for finding open space are just as impressive.

Belchetz had to wait a little longer than some of his future Michigan State teammates to hear his name called on draft night, but the wait was well worth it.

Before making the jump to the NHL, Belchetz will first look to help Adam Nightingale and the Spartans chase a fourth consecutive Big Ten regular-season championship while continuing to develop into one of hockey's next premier power forwards.