Bear has returned to the Everett Silvertips for his third full season, and has started the year with a point per game pace- four goals and eight assists in 12 games- while adding 18 penalty minutes.

The biggest concern heading into the draft for Bear was the injury he suffered this year in early March where he partially tore his achilles from a skate laceration. Despite that, he resumed skating ahead of schedule which quickly silenced any doubts surrounding his health on draft day. Since then, he’s signed his entry level contract with the Wings but is expected to return to the WHL for his D+1 season.

Carter Bear has put pen to paper on his ELC, a three-year deal with an AAV of $975,000. He will take another turn in the WHL in 2025-2026.

Selected 13th overall, Carter Bear is now a member of the Detroit Red Wings.

It is impossible to envision a situation where Carter Bear is not a middle-six forward with a long NHL career. He’s one of the most dominant and intense checking forwards in the CHL: if there’s a battle he’ll win it. Especially considering he’s near the tops of the CHL in scoring, more and more people are starting to get on board with Bear’s offensive game as well. He’s inside driven, creates shots from in-tight, and can handle or make plays with pace. Carter Bear has one of (if not the) highest floors in the draft, and there’s reason to believe that his scoring could translate to a top-six role. Luke Sweeney

Bear is returning to action after healing from a partially torn Achillies tendon, and may take some time to get fully up to speed, which could help explain the seemingly slower pace than he was on prior to the injury last season.

Bear remains a solid fantasy asset given his offensive prowess and physicality. Don’t fret the slow start, and keep tabs on the managers in your leagues if you sense them getting impatient. Bear will likely get back ahead of his point per game pace, as implied by his two multi-point games in the last four as at writing.

Finishing with 82 points (40 goals, 42 assists) in 56 games, Bear exploded offensively last season for the Everett Silvertips. There’s a lot to like about his game but his compete level is what stands out the most. In his own end, he’s positionally sound and rarely gets caught out of coverage. He transitions up the ice with speed and intent to create scoring chances off the rush. He has great vision to find teammates and has a knack to score goals around the net. Bear dominates in all three zones and there is a reason why he led his team in every offensive category. He is impressive along the boards, winning the majority of his battles. Bear gets involved physically using his body during puck pursuit and uses his motor to overwhelm opponents. Trusted in all situations, Bear has top-six forward written all over him. I have no doubt he’ll have a long NHL career.

Final Rankings – If it weren’t for the injury, Bear could very well have ended up much higher than this: he has the intangible tools that every NHL team covets. He’s a relentless hard-worker, a constant pace-pusher, and plays a detailed game. He’s shown he can play an intentional, straight-lines checking game in addition to a more skilled, dynamic one. He’s played centre or the wing, either complementarily or as the main driver. He was one of the WHL’s highest scorers on one of its best teams—even if that was hampered later in the season by Everett’s injury issues and, therefore, greater defensive responsibility for Bear. In a draft whose top-end talent falls off abruptly, Bear offers a surefire top-six bet, so long as his recovery goes according to plan.—