The 2026 NHL Draft unfolded with a surprise selection when the Utah Mammoth chose forward Adam Valentini, a 5‑foot‑10 native of Toronto, with the 96th overall pick. He is the second Michigan player drafted this year, joining J.P. Hurlbert, and marks a continued pipeline of talent from the state.
A Draft Night for Michigan Hockey
Valentini arrives after a breakout season at Michigan, where he recorded 27 points in 40 games and added five points in five contests for Canada’s Hlinka‑Gretzky team. Prior to college, he honed his skills with the Chicago Steel of the USHL and dominated the GTHL in Toronto.
His draft day was not an isolated event; the same weekend saw Ethan Belchetz, a power forward slated to join Michigan State, go 17th overall to Utah, while J.P. Hurlbert had already become the first Michigan player selected earlier in the draft.
The influx of Michigan talent reflects a broader resurgence in the state’s collegiate program, with both the Michigan and Michigan State squads expected to contend for the Big Ten championship this season. Veterans such as Landon DuPont, Gavin Brindley and Adam Fantilli are among the names generating buzz as the next wave of talent.
For the Mammoth, the addition of Valentini adds a dynamic forward who can contribute immediately, while the organization looks to build on a promising roster that includes other notable prospects.