As the NHL draft unfolded in Buffalo, Ethan Belchetz's name appeared in bold red letters on the KeyBank Center's massive screen when the Utah Mammoth pulled off a quick move to upgrade their position. Bill Armstrong, the Mammoth's general manager, had long been tracking Belchetz and feared he might be scooped up by another team before the 17th pick came around. To secure their target, the Mammoth made a swift trade with the Los Angeles Kings, swapping their 19th pick for the 17th and the Kings' 83rd selection.
The trade call
Armstrong and Kings GM Ken Holland arranged a direct phone call to finalize their agreement. Holland opened with a simple confirmation: “You want to do the deal?” Armstrong, who had already hinted at the possibility in prior emails and texts, answered with enthusiasm. “Yeah, let's do it,” he said. Holland then outlined the details: the Kings would receive pick 83 in exchange for the 17th and 19th selections. After a brief pause, Armstrong confirmed, “We're good.” Almost immediately, the giant “trade alert” banner lit up in the arena, accompanied by the unmistakable blaring of a goal horn. Commissioner Gary Bettman, standing at the podium, announced the trade, letting the crowd know the Los Angeles Kings had officially sent their 17th pick to the Utah Mammoth.
The video of the call, later posted by the Kings on social media, revealed the casual, almost conversational tone the two GMs took. Holland and his staff had already been leaning toward Elton Hermansson, the Swedish winger, as their target for the 19th pick after the trade. The Kings, in turn, used pick 83 in a later deal with the Minnesota Wild, swapping it for picks 89 and 153.
Why Belchetz was a target
Ethan Belchetz is a towering 6-foot-5 prospect with an impressive track record in the Ontario Hockey League. Last season, he averaged more than a point per game and was highly skilled, especially in his ability to score goals. More than half of his points came from goals, something Armstrong emphasized as a standout trait. “That’s the hardest thing in hockey,” Armstrong said, “and that’s what makes him so valuable. Size is something even the best coaches can’t teach.” Belchetz fits perfectly with Armstrong’s long-standing philosophy of drafting players who combine size with offensive production.
Armstrong, seated next to Belchetz during a press conference two days after the draft, joked about their shared physical stature, noting that Belchetz looked thinner during their interview process. The Utah GM compared Belchetz's performance favorably to associate captain Lawson Crouse’s during his own OHL days. Belchetz's combination of size and scoring potential suggests a promising future as a power forward. The Mammoth hope he can grow into a role like Crouse, whom fans affectionately call “The Sheriff.”
Looking ahead, Belchetz has committed to play for Michigan State next season. Notable names include Cayden Lindstrom, the 2024 fourth-overall pick, and Chase Reid, the 2026 seventh-overall selection. This connection gives the Mammoth confidence in Belchetz's potential and his path to the NHL. According to Armstrong, the trend in hockey is toward big, physical players who dominate in front of the net. The Mammoth already have skill and speed, but adding a player like Belchetz gives them a dominant presence that can lead the team toward a championship.
Holland, the Kings' new GM, has a history with the Mammoth. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020, he was once invited to the Utah Hockey Club's training camp in 2024 when he was between jobs. Eight months later, the Kings hired him to replace Rob Blake. Holland and Armstrong had a good rapport, which likely smoothed the process of their brief but decisive trade. As the Mammoth prepare for the coming season, Belchetz’s arrival represents a major step forward in their plan to build a winning team.