How First Overall Pick Ethan Belchetz is Preparing For His Rookie OHL Season
The Windsor Spitfires tabbed the massive teen as their top selection, so he went to Power Edge Pro camp to hone his skills.
As the first overall pick in the OHL draft, Ethan Belchetz now joins an exclusive club that includes league legends such as Connor McDavid, Steven Stamkos and John Tavares. The giant of a teenager will join the Windsor Spitfires this fall and in preparation for the big step up from U16 hockey, Belchetz attended Power Edge Pro skills camp in Toronto this summer. Based on some of the older talents that have used the PEP camp and system in the off-season, it felt like the right place for him.
"I've been on Instragram watching Power Edge Pro," Belchetz said. "Seeing McDavid, seeing Bedard at these clinics, I figured they must be doing something right to make those guys so good, so I wanted to give it a try."
The verdict? Even after Day 1 of the camp, the youngster was pleased with his decision.
"There are so many things to worry about during a game: Where to put the puck, where to make passes - it's super-helpful," he said. "They have game-like drills, so that was really helpful and I liked that part of the practice."
It's been a busy summer for Belchetz, who also attended Hockey Canada's U17 summer camp in his hometown of Oakville, Ont. With Hockey Canada gathering nearly every top-end teen in the country, all the kids had to bring it, even though it was the middle of the off-season.
"The competition was high, it was an elite level," Belchetz said. "All the games were super-competitive; they were all battles."
Having seen Belchetz in game action during the U17 camp, I can tell you that he looks like an impact player already. Belchetz is nearly 6-foot-5 and while he was 235 pounds when his season with the Oakville Rangers ended, he is now 222.
"My goal going into the off-season was to lean up a little bit and get my feet faster," he said. "I think I successfully leaned up and I'm still working on every single aspect of my game. I had a great off-season and I'm super-excited to start the season."
Belchetz has always been one of the biggest players on the ice and that won't change in the OHL, despite his rookie status. Heck, once he gets to the NHL he'll still be one of the biggest bodies out there. Along with a skill game that involves great hands and mobility, the powerful left winger also brings a great physical edge to the ice and he's not afraid of getting nasty out there.
"You have to rely on your strengths," he said. "My physicality and size are strengths, but I'm also a dog on the puck. Doesn't matter if I'm the smallest guy on the ice or the biggest, my goal is to come out of battles with the puck."
And while it might not be a smart idea for anyone to try roughing the kid up next season, Belchetz is prepared nonetheless.
"I'm ready for that," he said. "I like to bring that part of my game out, it makes it more fun for me."
On top of skill work, Belchetz has been working on moving up the ice with speed during the off-season. Heading into his rookie OHL campaign, he wants to make sure he always has his head up and is prepared to make the right play with the puck. Based on his size and his skill set, he's going to be a load to handle right away in the league and his influences reflect that.
"One guy is definitely Rick Nash, he's the reason I wear No. 61," Belchetz said. "I love the way he handled the puck and used his size to his advantage. The other player is Matthew Tkachuk. I love the edge to his game and how he's always getting in the other guy's head and affecting the other team."
While the Spitfires will still be a rebuilding team this upcoming season, Belchetz gives them another weapon to go with returning players such as Los Angeles Kings first-rounder Liam Greentree, Chicago Blackhawks prospect and banger A.J. Spellacy, plus new import Ilya Protas, a Washington Capitals pick with tons of potential.
Win or lose, with Belchetz in the lineup, the Spits will not be fun to play against.