F Ethan Belchetz - Oakville Rangers, SCTA U15 (2026 Draft)

[LeProspector]

This kid could contend for #1 in 2026. He is scary good already.

Told you. 6’5”, great skater, not afraid to get his nose dirty, soft hands, physical, thinks the play ahead and is so damn smart. He is the favourite for #1 in 2026 now.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Told you. 6’5”, great skater, not afraid to get his nose dirty, soft hands, physical, thinks the play ahead and is so damn smart. He is the favourite for #1 in 2026 now.

I was told that was impossible. We knew the 1OA before the 2008 early birthdays were playing junior hockey in NA or Russia.

 

[LeProspector]

I was told that was impossible. We knew the 1OA before the 2008 early birthdays were playing junior hockey in NA or Russia.

I know McKenna is good, but to say that before these kids have played a game in the CHL is insane.

I don’t know how you look at Belchetz, who looks like Lindros 2.0 and come to the conclusion he can’t go #1 overall next year.

 

[wetcoast]

I know McKenna is good, but to say that before these kids have played a game in the CHL is insane.

I don’t know how you look at Belchetz, who looks like Lindros 2.0 and come to the conclusion he can’t go #1 overall next year.

I like Belchetz but man did he really shoot up the rankings that fast in 3 freaking games?

 

[LeProspector]

I like Belchetz but man did he really shoot up the rankings that fast in 3 freaking games?

There was no accurate “rankings” before.

 

[Corso]

Nice start but way, way to early to start anointing him as the prohibitive favorite for the 26 draft. Let's see where he is at in February or March.

 

[bigdog16]

Nice start but way, way to early to start anointing him as the prohibitive favorite for the 26 draft. Let's see where he is at in February or March.

I think his point is that people have already anointed McKenna as the number 1 pick and there would be no one else in the picture.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

He's got a really, really great tool kit. Good skating regardless of size, great for a guy his size, high skill level. Didn't get much of a read on his shooting in the game I saw; was scoring by being big in front of the net and going for loose pucks there, breakaway deke.

 

[Corso]

I think his point is that people have already anointed McKenna as the number 1 pick and there would be no one else in the picture.

Point is it's way too early to appoint anyone as the number 1 pick just yet. We will have a much better read at the end of this season, and even after that much can and will change.

 

[LeProspector]

Point is it's way too early to appoint anyone as the number 1 pick just yet. We will have a much better read at the end of this season, and even after that much can and will change.

We can definitely discuss who’s in the mix, McKenna isn’t the clear frontrunner people thought. Belchetz is competition now.

 

[Corso]

We can definitely discuss who’s in the mix, McKenna isn’t the clear frontrunner people thought. Belchetz is competition now.

Sure, and there may be more competition as the season goes on......

 

[wetcoast]

There was no accurate “rankings” before.

Kind of like right now eh?

We can definitely discuss who’s in the mix, McKenna isn’t the clear frontrunner people thought. Belchetz is competition now.

Less than a handful of games doesn't determine anything you should know better one would think.

But maybe you want the accolades to being the first to pronounce the new frontrunner instead of letting things shake out a bit?

 

[LeProspector]

Kind of like right now eh?


Less than a handful of games doesn't determine anything you should know better one would think.

But maybe you want the accolades to being the first to pronounce the new frontrunner instead of letting things shake out a bit?

We sure as hell know better than we did then. Both Belchetz and Dagenais look LEGIT and Belchetz in particular had the “it” factor.

But maybe you’re unable to realize that there are more players than McKenna in 2026 instead of letting things shake out a bit?

 

[Satan]

Belchetz future goat

 

[wetcoast]

We sure as hell know better than we did then. Both Belchetz and Dagenais look LEGIT and Belchetz in particular had the “it” factor.

Sure but it's 3 games with early rosters with a lot of players still at NHL camps but I fully expect you to drop him down in the rankings when he has a bad week right?

But maybe you’re unable to realize that there are more players than McKenna in 2026 instead of letting things shake out a bit?

I'm not the one making proclamations as it's way too early but the point is that McKenna hasn't dropped because of 2 or 3 games either.

 

[LeProspector]

I'm not the one making proclamations as it's way too early but the point is that McKenna hasn't dropped because of 2 or 3 games either.

I agree he hasn’t dropped, but it’s not McKenna far and away like many naive fans once thought. Belchetz is a legit challenger. His mesurables are insane and his talent is through the roof, also. It’s going to be a great class it looks like.

 

[wetcoast]

I agree he hasn’t dropped, but it’s not McKenna far and away like many naive fans once thought.

Was this really the case among serious draft watchers though?

I mean sure McKenna got off to an awesome start, but only a few stat watchers were going overboard, most of us were saying let's wait a couple of years but at the time sure McKenna was #1.

Also you do realize that Belchetz had 6 points in one game then has 2 points from his other 2 games so maybe pump the breaks a little bit here.

He is a great prospect but he isn't a lock for #1 by any means yet.

Belchetz is a legit challenger. His mesurables are insane and his talent is through the roof, also. It’s going to be a great class it looks like.

Agree that it's going to be a great class and that Belchetz is going to make it interesting.

 

[LeProspector]

Was this really the case among serious draft watchers though?

I mean sure McKenna got off to an awesome start, but only a few stat watchers were going overboard, most of us were saying let's wait a couple of years but at the time sure McKenna was #1.

Also you do realize that Belchetz had 6 points in one game then has 2 points from his other 2 games so maybe pump the breaks a little bit here.

He is a great prospect but he isn't a lock for #1 by any means yet.



Agree that it's going to be a great class and that Belchetz is going to make it interesting.

I see Eric Lindros here. I’m not going to pump the brakes

 

[wetcoast]

I see Eric Lindros here. I’m not going to pump the brakes

Sure except Lindros was a center.....look he's a great prospect and had an awesome game but Windsor isn't scoring 12 goals every game.

 

[landy92mack29]

Sure except Lindros was a center.....look he's a great prospect and had an awesome game but Windsor isn't scoring 12 goals every game.

Lindros could skate also, Belchetz needs lots of work skating wise to challenge for a top pick or he'll be another Crouse type

 

[LeProspector]

Lindros could skate also, Belchetz needs lots of work skating wise to challenge for a top pick or he'll be another Crouse type

We both know Crouse’s understanding of where to be on the ice and where to put himself to best support the play don’t come close to where Belchetz is at, already at 16.

Face it WHL prospect follower, Belchetz will challenge McKenna.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

I don’t know how you look at Belchetz, who looks like Lindros 2.0

Lindros 2.0? Yeah, no.

Not sure where you're getting that comparison from? Simply due to the size? Doesn't play the same position, doesn't have the same skating or pure physical presence Lindros did. I don't see it.

 

[LeProspector]

Lindros 2.0? Yeah, no.

Not sure where you're getting that comparison from? Simply due to the size? Doesn't play the same position, doesn't have the same skating or pure physical presence Lindros did. I don't see it.

I do.

I can’t wait to bump these posts in 2 years. I think it’s SILLY to doubt Belchetz.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

I do.

I can’t wait to bump these posts in 2 years. I think it’s SILLY to doubt Belchetz.

Please point out in my post where I'm "doubting" him. Simply pointing out that he's not Lindros 2.0 as they don't play a similar game.

I from Oakville, and a season ticket holder in the OHL. I'm rooting for Belchetz, but also being realistic. Pretty simple.

 

[LeProspector]

Please point out in my post where I'm "doubting" him. Simply pointing out that he's not Lindros 2.0 as they don't play a similar game.

I from Oakville, and a season ticket holder in the OHL. I'm rooting for Belchetz, but also being realistic. Pretty simple.

So am I. Continue doubting this super talented kid. He’s going to prove you wrong.