Ethan Belchetz Commits to Michigan State, Leaving Spitfires
ethan belchetz has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Michigan State University, shifting one of the top 2026 NHL Draft prospects out of the OHL and into the Spartans' roster plans. The Windsor Spitfires left winger announced the move on Instagram after two injury-hit seasons with Windsor.
Belchetz Chooses Michigan State
Belchetz wrote, “Excited and honored to announce my commitment to play NCAA Division I hockey at Michigan State University.” He added, “Huge thank you to my family, coaches, teammates, trainers, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey and helped me to get to this point.”
He closed the post with, “Grateful for the opportunity and excited for what’s next. #gogreen.” The move gives Adam Nightingale another major addition at Michigan State, which was already viewed as a contender for the NCAA national championship next year.
Windsor Loses Its First Pick
For Windsor, the departure lands harder because Belchetz was the first overall pick in the 2024 OHL Draft and was expected to be a central piece of the Spitfires' future. Bill Bowler called the change part of a new reality for junior hockey after teams invest top selections and then lose them earlier than before.
“This new landscape, for us to draft the first overall pick, and for him to leave after two years, never in my wildest dreams did I think that could happen to this franchise,” Bowler said. He also said, “We had those players penciled in for this hockey team…You don’t replace NHL first rounders. I think any fan or anybody understands that.”
Injury Delayed His Windsor Run
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound left winger never got a full Windsor payoff. He did not play a playoff game in two seasons with the Spitfires because of injury, and he snapped his left clavicle in early March and needed surgery.
Belchetz’s path still points to a high ceiling. He played youth hockey with the Oakville Rangers between ages 13 and 16, then doubled his points production from 42 to 84 in his final season there. Michigan State may begin next season with as many as nine first-round selections, and Belchetz joins that group as one of the most closely watched names in the 2026 Draft conversation.
For Windsor, the immediate reality is simple: the club must move on without the player it took first overall in 2024. For Michigan State, the reward is a large forward with first-round upside who arrives after a stop-start junior stretch and steps into a program already built for a national title push.
