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Spitfires Announce Ethan Belchetz as First Overall Pick in 2024 OHL Priority Selection

April 11, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL) News Release


Forward Ethan Belchetz dons his Windsor Spitfires jersey
Forward Ethan Belchetz dons his Windsor Spitfires jersey
(Windsor Spitfires)

Toronto, Ont. - The Ontario Hockey League in association with the Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club today announced that 16-year-old forward Ethan Belchetz of the OHL Cup champion Oakville Rangers will be the first overall pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection presented by Real Canadian Superstore.

The announcement was made at a news conference held at the WFCU Centre, introducing Belchetz and his family to the organization and local media.

"The Windsor Spitfires organization is outstanding," said Belchetz of the big occasion. "They've treated my family and I with the utmost respect and I'm really looking forward to wearing the jersey and playing for the great fans at the WFCU Centre."

Belchetz becomes the first Spitfires player to win the Jack Ferguson Award, an honour first bestowed upon the player chosen with the First Overall Pick of the OHL Priority Selection in 1981.

"It's a very prestigious award and so many of the players that have come before me have gone on to accomplish a tremendous amount in their careers," added Belchetz. "It provides a lot of motivation to work hard every day towards achieving that kind of success."

Belchetz is just the second player to ever be chosen first overall by the Spitfires, who took forward Jim Fox of the North Bay Trappers with the first selection back in 1976. Fox would go on to do big things as a member of the Ottawa 67's, eventually playing over 500 games in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings.

"Ethan is a physical presence with a great combination of skill and hockey IQ," said Spitfires General Manager Bill Bowler. "He is a character kid with leadership qualities and will have an immediate impact in our league.

"It's a great opportunity in this position for our franchise," continued Bowler. "It's an honour and privilege to be making this selection on behalf of the Windsor Spitfires and the Ontario Hockey League."

A 6-foot-5, 234Ib. left-wing from Oakville, Ont., Belchetz was a driving force behind the OHL Cup champion Oakville Rangers, being named MVP of the annual showcase after collecting 11 points (5-6- 11) over seven games. He was also recognized as OMHA West U16 AAA Player of the Year after leading the entire OMHA with 46 goals and 84 points in just 34 games, guiding his team to a 31-1 regular season record. He'd go on to add 16 points (9-7- 16) in eight playoff games.

Belchetz is the 2024 recipient of the Jack Ferguson Award presented annually to the player selected first overall in the OHL Priority Selection. The "Fergie" recognizes the dedication and contributions made by Jack Ferguson during his 25-year association with the OHL, first as a scout with the Ottawa 67's and followed by his appointment as head of the OHL's Central Scouting Bureau in 1981 as its Director of Central Scouting.

"Ethan is a big power forward, at times it seems like he is a man playing amongst boys," said Darrell Woodley, Director of OHL Central Scouting. "He is an intimidating force whenever he is on the ice. He is very competitive, takes the body every chance he gets and likes the physical side of the game which is rare these days. He is a good skater that has a powerful stride and is hard to contain when he gets moving. He has a good skill-set and does a good job of protecting the puck down low, which makes him almost impossible to handle. He has a good shot that he has used to score many goals from within 15 feet of the net. He is a player that understands his strengths and uses them to his full advantage. Ethan's game has improved immensely since the beginning of the season and he has a very high ceiling."

Join Ethan Belchetz as he hears his name called to kick-off the first round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection Draft Show presented by Real Canadian Superstore beginning at 7:00pm on Friday night. The OHL Priority Selection will once again be held over the course of two days, with Rounds 1-3 taking place on Friday. The proceedings continue on Saturday, April 13 starting at 9:00am with Rounds 4-15. The Priority Selection Show will be produced by YourTV and streamed for free in its entirety on OHL Live. Fans can also watch complete coverage on community stations and across the province on OHL Action Pak ch. 466 (East) and 677 (West).

WATCH: 2024 OHL Priority Selection Prospect Profile - Ethan Belchetz

Winners of the Jack Ferguson Award Include:

1981 Dan Quinn, Belleville Bulls

1982 Kirk Muller, Guelph Platers

1983 Trevor Stienburg, Guelph Platers

1984 Dave Moylan, Sudbury Wolves

1985 Bryan Fogarty, Kingston Canadians

1986 Troy Mallette, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

1987 John Uniac, Sudbury Wolves

1988 Drake Berehowsky, Kingston Raiders

1989 Eric Lindros, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

1990 Pat Peake, Detroit Ambassadors

1991 Todd Harvey, Detroit Ambassadors

1992 Jeff O'Neill, Guelph Storm

1993 Alyn McCauley, Ottawa 67's

1994 Jeff Brown, Sarnia Sting

1995 Daniel Tkaczuk, Barrie Colts

1996 Rico Fata, London Knights

1997 Charlie Stephens, Toronto St. Michael's Majors

1998 Jay Harrison, Brampton Battalion

1999 Jason Spezza, Mississauga IceDogs

2000 Patrick Jarrett, Mississauga IceDogs

2001 Patrick O'Sullivan, Mississauga IceDogs

2002 Robbie Schremp, Mississauga IceDogs

2003 Patrick McNeill, Saginaw Spirit

2004 John Hughes, Belleville Bulls

2005 John Tavares, Oshawa Generals

2006 Steven Stamkos, Sarnia Sting

2007 Ryan O'Reilly, Erie Otters

2008 John McFarland, Sudbury Wolves

2009 Daniel Catenacci, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

2010 Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia Sting

2011 Aaron Ekblad, Barrie Colts

2012 Connor McDavid, Erie Otters

2013 Travis Konecny, Ottawa 67's

2014 Jakob Chychrun, Sarnia Sting

2015 David Levin, Sudbury Wolves

2016 Ryan Merkley, Guelph Storm

2017 Ryan Suzuki, Barrie Colts

2018 Quinton Byfield, Sudbury Wolves

2019 Shane Wright, Kingston Frontenacs

2020 Ty Nelson, North Bay Battalion

2021 Quentin Musty, Sudbury Wolves

2022 Michael Misa, Saginaw Spirit

2023 Matthew Schaefer, Erie Otters

2024 Ethan Belchetz, Windsor Spitfires

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Images from this story

Forward Ethan Belchetz dons his Windsor Spitfires jersey
Forward Ethan Belchetz dons his Windsor Spitfires jersey
   



Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2024


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