Im not doubting him and I agree he is a contender for #1. But Lindros is arguably the greatest prospect the sport has ever seen. Unfair to put that expectation on him. Other than being big they don’t play similar at all, either.
F Ethan Belchetz - Oakville Rangers, SCTA U15 (2026 Draft)
- Thread starter GermanSpitfire
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scoutman1
Twitter - scoutman33
there is no proving him wrong....he never said he would not turn out....he is just saying after 3 games you really can not tell a lot....a lot of talented players are still in NHL camps, a lot of players are getting the rust off them and big thing is, while Belchetz keeps doing well then teams will target him harder....no one is saying he is not going to challenge...a lot of people including myself (with over 20 years scouting experience) know that 3 games do not tell much.
You certainly can't wait there is 100% agreement on that point.
No one is doubting him as a prospect the pushback is on the skating and Lindros hype train and your need to anoint a certain number of players that you "found first" by looking at elite prospects then patting yourself on the back.
I respectfully suggest some self confidence courses or videos not a hockey forum to boost your ego.
Isaac Nootin
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mlse2kk
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He's born in '08, earliest is the 2026 draft. Right now you could make an argument for 1st overall, but it's too early yet.
frontsfan67
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Top 5 and potentially challenging Mckenna for first overall
Nobody's going to challenge McKenna in 2026 but where does Belchetz go if eligible for the 2025 draft?
He had a good start to the season and was pretty decent at the U-17 but I would not put him in as a lock for top 5 just yet.
matt trick
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How does Belchetz compare with Martone? Kind of hoping the Sharks get Schaefer this draft, but we could use an elite power winger to compliment Smith or Celebrini.
Giving up on Musty?
I would hope you guys aren't drafting bottom 5 by the 2026 draft
frontsfan67
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Maybe not but if he puts up 90+ points which is possible and is a 6’5 230 beast you gotta think some scouts would like that over Mckenna who is underweight at 165 lbs. he has to gain atleast 20 lbs to play in the NHL. Belchetz already has the size. I still think it’s a super low chance of him going first but there is a lot of hockey to be played.
If belchetz is eligible for the 2025 draft I’d say probably a late first round as a first year player in the OHL. Gotta remember this is technically mckennas 3rd season that he’s been apart of with the late birthday and how the WHL guys can play at 15 for a certain amount of games
I'd put him right there with Spence & Desnoyers, in that 6-10 slot for 2025.
But ya, he'd have to have a heckuva year to supplant McKenna. Not impossible though.
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
I think Belchetz is good, but still raw tools and potential as opposed to a "now" product. Compared to a similarly sized winger with similar traits like Katolicky, I don't see the same ability to take over shifts on the regular.
There are some shifts that get your attention and showcase the potential, but just as many when you're asking him to do a lot more. I'm not really on board yet with the idea that he's some future Lemieux or at this point a real challenger to McKenna. I think it's not impossible, given his very evidently high potential, but he needs to activate beast mode for that to happen.
I felt very similar about Byfield at the same point, and he went 2OA, so he might do it, although I still think Byfield was a little better overall at that point.
There are some shifts that get your attention and showcase the potential, but just as many when you're asking him to do a lot more. I'm not really on board yet with the idea that he's some future Lemieux or at this point a real challenger to McKenna. I think it's not impossible, given his very evidently high potential, but he needs to activate beast mode for that to happen.
I felt very similar about Byfield at the same point, and he went 2OA, so he might do it, although I still think Byfield was a little better overall at that point.
