Carter Bear (RW, L, 6’0″, 171, Everett Silvertips, 11/04/2006)
Carter Bear is a skilled, detail-oriented left-shot center who projects as a potential top-three round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft. At 6’00”, 170 pounds, Bear has displayed the ability to dominate his age group offensively while showing signs of a mature, well-rounded game. His blend of hockey IQ, strong puck skills, and developing two-way play make him an intriguing prospect for the next level.
Strengths:
- Offensive Skill and Scoring Instincts:
Bear’s ability to score goals at a high rate is evident, particularly during his 2022/23 season in U18 hockey, where he recorded 32 goals in 31 games. His offensive instincts are elite, with 103 of his 269 shot attempts coming from the low slot and 20 of his 25 goals coming from within 6 feet of the net in 2023/24. This shows a willingness to go to tough areas and finish plays, making him a dangerous presence in high-danger scoring situations. - Puck Handling and Game Processing:
Bear’s puck skills are a standout. His ability to settle rolling pucks and maintain control under pressure is evident. He consistently scans the ice and makes quick decisions, as highlighted by his 86% passing completion rate. His soft hands and creativity in tight areas, especially on the power play, show that he processes the game at a high level, which will translate well to professional hockey. - Compete Level and Defensive Maturity:
Bear shows a strong work ethic and is effective in 50/50 battles, winning 51% of his puck battles, which demonstrates his competitiveness and understanding of leverage. His 1.61 loose puck retrievals per game highlight his ability to anticipate the play and put himself in a position to recover possession quickly. Additionally, his ability to draw penalties (33 in 67 games) shows his strength in fighting through traffic and his tenacity. His penalty kill time, averaging 1:40 per game, reveals his defensive maturity and strong positional play. - Elusiveness and Agility:
Bear is elusive in tight spaces, averaging only 0.38 hits received per game, which shows his ability to avoid heavy contact while still creating offensive chances. His agility and ability to make quick cuts make him difficult for defenders to contain, and his hockey sense allows him to slip into scoring positions.
Areas for Improvement:
- Strength and Physicality:
Bear is still developing physically and needs to continue adding strength, particularly to his upper body. At 170 pounds, he can be pushed around at times, especially when playing in net-front battles or along the boards. This is an area NHL scouts will closely monitor during the 2024/25 season, as increased strength will help him compete more effectively at the pro level and hold his ground in the dirty areas. - Faceoff Efficiency:
Bear’s faceoff win rate of 38% needs improvement. It’s no secret that as a center, winning draws is crucial for puck possession and controlling the pace of the game. Strengthening his hands and refining his faceoff technique will be key for his development. If he can significantly raise his faceoff percentage, he has a strong chance to remain a center at the professional level. However, if this area doesn’t improve, he may be viewed as a dependable two-way wing, which will impact his draft stock. - Skating Power and Speed Consistency:
While Bear shows a quick first step and solid agility, there are moments when he seems to be growing into his body, particularly when coming out of power turns and hockey stops. NHL scouts will be looking for him to develop more explosiveness and consistency in his straight-line speed as he continues to refine his skating base. Increased lower body strength will help him generate more power, making him even more dangerous offensively. - Passing Consistency:
Though Bear has an impressive 86% passing accuracy, there is room for improvement, particularly in higher-pressure situations. Tightening up his decision-making and passing accuracy will allow him to be a more consistent playmaker, especially in the NHL, where windows for passes are much smaller.
Overall, Carter Bear has the potential to be a dynamic two-way center in the NHL. His offensive instincts, puck handling, and compete level are already at a high level, and with continued growth in his physicality, skating, and faceoff ability, he could be a strong fit as a top-two round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images