Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff continues Detroit Hockey Now’s survey of the Red Wings’ young players this morning, discussing Carter Bear’s potential:
Last Season
Still recovering from an Achilles injury suffered late in his draft year, Bear was slow out of the gate last season. He refuses to let anyone suggest that the ailment played any role in his slow start.
“No, I don’t really like to put any excuse on it,” Bear said. “I started playing, and it just went away from my mind and started to feel normal. Yeah, it’s all healthy now, for sure.”
Boy, did it ever go away. Bear absolutely ignited as fall turned to winter. He finished with 36 goals, 77 points, and a +45 rating in 53 games for Everett. He added seven goals, 22 points, and a +22 rating in 18 playoff games. Everett won the WHL title, ultimately falling to the Kitchener Rangers in the Memorial Cup final.
“As a kid, you watch the Memorial Cup each year, and playing it was pretty special to do with the group of guys I had in Everett,” Bear said. “For sure was unbelievable. So, yeah, it was pretty cool. But it sucks how we came up short.”
Three Reasons Why Bear Will Play in the NHL
- His scoring touch. Bear just knows how to score goals. It’s a knack that really can’t be taught. A player either has it, or they don’t.
- He displays that Brett Hull-like ability to be stealthy in the offensive zone. He’ll disappear and then suddenly reappear in the scoring area uncovered. And he has a very deceptive shot.
- His competitiveness. Bear’s dull, almost listless personality belies the fact that he is an ultra-competitive player. He’ll battle for every loose puck. Underestimate him at your own risk.
Continued; I don’t know whether Bear will become a star player in the NHL, but I’d argue that he’s a goal-scoring version of Tyler Bertuzzi when he’s at his best, driving play and attacking the net with a sniper’s mentality.
