Updated at 10:56 PM: The Detroit Red Wings drafted Everett Silvertips winger Carter Bear with their 13th overall draft pick at the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles. After Bear was drafted, he spoke with several media members, including the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan:
Bear (6-foot, 180 pounds), who suffered a partially torn Achilles tendon that ended his season in March, scored 40 goals in 56 games for Everett (WHL). Bear said expects to be ready for training camp.
“I’m skating right now,” said Bear on a Zoom call with Detroit media after being selected. “It’s about 80 percent I would say, not getting into contact yet right now, but it’s good for the season with Everett for sure.”
Not competing in the playoffs was a disappointment but Bear found out much about himself in the rehabilitation.
“Pretty bummed out when you can’t play with your team,” Bear said. “I tried to take it in a positive way going through this whole stage in recovery. To hear my name called, it’s kind of a relief for sure. I’m grateful to think of what Detroit thinks of me and to give me an opportunity.”
Bear was emotional after hearing his name called by the Wings and broke down in an interview with ESPN.
“It really did (hit me),” Bear said. “I didn’t really realize (how emotional he was) until I was in that building and it hit me hard.”
Bear is one of the fiercest competitors in this draft, going to the net and playing a hard, edgy game. But he combines that with an offensive ability that’s among the best in the draft.
“Wanting the puck, creating plays, I have a hard nose with the puck in front of the net for sure,” Bear said. “I’m at the right spots at the right time.”
Continued; I like the pick. Scoring and intensity are two things that the Red Wings need in their prospect pool, and the more competitive they can get, the better they will be in the future.
The Free Press’s Helene St. James also posted Bear’s Zoom interview:
The Wings also posted a clip of Bear’s post-draft scrum:
Here’s a little more from Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen:
“I’m skating right now,” Bear said. “It’s about 80% I would say, not really going into contact yet. Don’t really want to take a step ahead and and set me back more. But right now it’s good for the (upcoming) season, for sure. “
Bear’s compete level makes his scoring ability more dangerous. Bear is like a hungry cougar always prowling for an opportunity strike
“I create opportunities with my competitiveness, wanting the puck and stripping D men with the puck and creating plays and obviously I have a hard nose with the puck in front of the net, for sure. I got great timing from the net, knowing where to be and be at the right spots at the right time. I got pretty good touch with the puck.”
Update: Also, from MLive’s Ansar Khan:
“I think I’d be great fit for this organization,” Bear said. “I think that’s why they love my game, being competitive, never taking a shift off and wanting to win.”
Bear (6-0, 179) said he learned at a young age to go “non-stop on pucks.”
“I want it more than anyone on the ice for sure,” he said.
Bear, who said he patterns his game after Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel, tallied 40 goals and 42 assists in 56 games, in a season shortened by an Achilles injury that sidelined him for the playoffs.
“I create a lot of opportunities with my competitiveness, wanting the puck, creating plays, and I have a hard nose for the net,” he said. “I got great timing for the net, where to be, being at the right spots at the right time. I think I have pretty good touch with the puck. Me being competitive, I think that’s just me not wanting to lose. I hate losing more than I love winning. Every time I step on the ice, I want it more than every player on the ice. That’s how I think my motor always goes.”
Bear said he’s skating at about 80 percent but hasn’t been cleared for contact.
“Kind of listening to my (trainer), don’t really want to take a step ahead that would set me back more,” he said. “But right now, it’s good for season for sure with Everett. I never really had an injury this big, I had to learn about it, kind of listening to your body, listening to your pain and telling the physios and the workout specialists what hurts and what I can’t do.”
