Detroit Red Wings
Draft Review: Bear Perseveres Despite Injury
Editor’s Note: The Detroit Red Wings will select 13th at the NHL draft next month in Los Angeles. Over the next month, Detroit Hockey Now will profile prospects expected to land in the No. 10-20 range. Today we look at Everett Silvertips left wing Carter Bear. NHL’s Central Scouting ranks Bear 11th among North American prospects.
Carter Bear was having a memorable season when everything came to a full stop in March.
While finishing a check in a game, he suffered a partially lacerated Achilles tendon, ending his season in his draft year.
In just 56 games, Bear had 40 goals and 42 assists and was a +33 as the Silvertips won the U.S. Division title.
“I didn’t really know about Achilles injuries at the time,” Bear said in an interview on RG.org this week. “Once I stepped on my foot after I finished my check, I couldn’t put pressure. Once I heard about that type of injury, I was bummed out, but I wanted to take it with a positive attitude to not put any of that negativity on my teammates.”
So he rooted his teammates on from the sideline while rehabbing the leg, and lready is back skating.
Bear Rehabs From Injury
Bear is one of the propspects the Red Wings could be in line to take with the 13th pick in the June NHL entry draft.
🔊 "I tried to lead as much as I can."
EXIT INTERVIEW: Carter Bear ('06) pic.twitter.com/f78fjtXO1P
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) April 23, 2025
“I’m a fast-healing kid and I just maintained the idea that I was going to heal ahead of schedule and here we are,” Bear said of his rehab process. “Just about staying positive and working hard.”
That work ethic has served him well. Bear went from a lower-round prospect to one rated in the teens of the first round. His scoring ability turned some heads for sure, but he’s also a gritty player who plays with emotion.
“I hate getting scored on more than I like scoring,” he said. “Even when I’m not on the ice, and we get scored on, it lights a fire under me.”
The fire came early, through workouts in his native Winnipeg and going all-out on every rep in practice.
Prospect Has Scoring Touch
“Growing up, I always had a shooting range in the garage,” Bear said. “I’ve been working at it since I was young with my dad. He just passes me pucks in different scenarios and different spots around the net; and it gets you ready for all situations.”
On the ice, Bear isn’t flashy, but finds ways to get open and then score. His skating needs work and he’ll be adding muscle as he prepares for pro hockey.
Bear is generally seen as a top-six prospect.
Carter Bear, certified goal scorer. #ForEverett pic.twitter.com/fAVQ8Jxcgr
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) March 16, 2024
“He’s tenacious when on the attack and has great control of the puck in tight spaces,” writes Peter Baracchini of The Hockey Writers. “He smothers opponents to close gaps and gain the inside edge in puck battles on the boards or down low. He never quits or gives up on plays and he’s always coming out with the puck and driving hard to the middle. And he has good speed, but his edges and pivots need work and his shot selection can be questionable.”
Those are things to work on for the 18-year-old. In the meantime, he works toward what was once hard to conceive.
“The draft is a dream come true, if I’m being honest,” Bear said. “I didn’t think anything like this would happen for me. So I’m just thankful every day to be able to play hockey and to be going through this process. It’s a dream come true, and I don’t take any of it for granted.”
