Ethan Beltchez set himself apart with the AAA U16
Oakville Rangers by learning to use his six-foot-four frame and physicality to
his advantage.
"One of the things I've
accomplished and am proud of is getting with the AAA speed," said
Belchetz."My
biggest part of my game is the corner battles and winning battles and then
setting up my teammates or trying to create offence from that."
That’s led to big results on the ice
for Belchetz, who scored 32 goals with 23 assists in 28 games. It’s also set
the 15-year-old up well for this week’s Ontario Hockey League draft.
Former NHL star Rick Nash is someone he looks up to. He admires the way
Nash moves and wants to play the game exactly like
him.
He's also learning how to handle the
mental side of the game. Part of his approach is to have a routine where he
envisions scenarios in which he’s been successful to motivate him to replicate
the same action the next time.
"It's more of a mindset
thing,” he explained. “Thinking the right way, thinking what I can control. …
You’ve got to be working every single day... be a humble, respectful,
hardworking person. Skill, hockey IQ, communications are huge to be a hockey
player. Off the ice, time management is a big one because we have school.”
Belchetz finds role models in his
parents and three siblings. One of his sisters inspires him in his play on
the ice and is a big part of his support system.At the beginning of the season, after a difficult
tournament, she helped him work through it.
“She can help me with the mental side
of the game where if I have a bad game, she can help me and talk to me,” he
said.
Others in his life are proud of how far he’s come as a person and are
excited to see him progress.
“It's going to be exciting to follow his journey along because it’s
really only at the beginning right now,” said Belchetz's father,
Lance. “He’s a good teammate and a good person. It’s been a pleasure
to watch him over the years and a real honour.”
About the author: Melissa Akgez is a student in the Sport Journalism post-grad program at Centennial College.