Never in his wildest dreams did Windsor Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler imagine that his franchise's first overall pick would leave the team to join the NCAA. Ethan Belchetz, selected first overall in the 2024 OHL Draft, has announced he will play for the Michigan State Spartans in the 2026-27 season, despite having at least two years of junior eligibility remaining.
Belchetz's Decision Stuns Spitfires
Belchetz, a projected first-round pick in next month's NHL Draft, made the decision public, leaving the Spitfires reeling. Bowler expressed disbelief, stating, "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."
The departure follows a similar blow in April when center Jack Nesbitt, a first-round NHL pick by the Philadelphia Flyers, announced he would head to the University of Michigan despite having another year of junior eligibility. Bowler acknowledged the difficulty of replacing such talent: "We had those players penciled in for this hockey team. You don't replace NHL first-rounders."
Belchetz's Performance and Injury
Belchetz posted 17 goals and 38 points in 56 games as a rookie and was leading the team with 34 goals when he suffered a broken left clavicle during practice in March. He finished with 59 points in 57 games but never played a playoff game due to injuries. He returned to skating in April but did not re-enter the lineup.
Before being drafted by Windsor, Belchetz and his family visited Michigan State and the University of Michigan but ultimately chose the Spitfires. Bowler noted the decision caught the team off guard: "One hundred per cent this is something that caught us off guard. A 2008-born player leaving our program to go to school. Never expected that."
Impact on Spitfires' Roster
Belchetz's decision leaves the Spitfires with five potential players heading to the NCAA for the 2026-27 season, including Nesbitt and potential overage players Carson Woodall (Boston College), Jakub Fibigr (Ohio State), and Cole Davis (Connecticut). Bowler reflected on the challenge of planning for early departures: "It's the premature guys when they leave early. You can't plan for that."
