R.org’s Marco D’Amico spoke with Red Wings prospect and 19-year-old center Carter Bear recently. Bear tells D’Amico that he spent his summer in Detroit to prepare for his first professional season:
“First pro season incoming, a lot to learn about pro,” Bear said in an interview with R.org. “A lot of new faces and a new team coming as well. It’s pretty exciting to already know a bunch of the guys.”
Bear spent the summer training around the Red Wings organization, working closely with the team’s staff and getting to know several of the prospects who could be alongside him for years to come.
“Training here in Detroit is a privilege, to be around pro staff,” Bear said. “Trainers and stuff give me a sheet of what they want me to do, and I ask a lot of questions to make sure I’m doing it right. It’s a huge summer for me.”
For Bear, spending the summer in Detroit was about more than simply getting stronger or preparing physically for camp. It allowed him to become more familiar with the people, expectations and history surrounding an Original Six organization that has made no secret of wanting its young players to understand what wearing the winged wheel represents.
“It’s about having good chats and asking good questions,” Bear said. “Dan Cleary and Niklas Kronwall, they had a whole meeting with the players. They talked about what it means to be a Red Wing and talked about their stories and what they went through. It’s pretty cool how they talk about their experience and help get the best out of us.”
My understanding is that Bear spent the summer in a house with other Red Wings prospects who trained and practiced together…
“I think it was great for creating bonds for the future,” Bear said. “I was in an Airbnb with J.P. Hurlbert for a little bit. He’s such a good guy and funny off the ice.”
And Bear is blunt in speaking with D’Amico regarding his goals for the upcoming season:
“I try doing me and just work my ass off,” Bear said. “Everyone’s goal is to make the NHL. That’s my goal, I feel like I have a chance. Everyone gets a shot, and it’s about being competitive and outworking guys.”
Continued; this is a very good interview from “Ratings” or R.org, a new website. The interview is both long and thorough, as one might expect from D’Amico.
Bear tells D’Amico that the player he compares himself to is Tampa Bay Lightning star forward and shift disturber Brandon Hagel as well.
