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Canucks’ draft options at 15th overall: Carter Bear

Originally posted on Canucksarmy | By Dave Hall | Last updated May 17, 2025 6:27 PM ET

We’re roughly one month away from the NHL Entry Draft, where the Vancouver Canucks hold their first round pick for just the third time over the last six years.

For how long? That remains to be seen.

And yet, we continue to push forward as if they will maintain their position and select a young and hopeful prospect with the 15th pick.

With that, we give you our second potential target.

Previous targets:

Brady Martin

Carter Bear

With this pick, we’ve already established that selecting a forward who shoots from the right is the best course of action. Yet, Carter Bear, a left-shot, is the type of asset worth making the exception for.

Like our previous target, Brady Martin, Bear brings a tantalizing work ethic but also blends in some high-end offensive pedigree.

Although his 6-foot, 176-pound frame may not be imposing enough to make him a true power forward, his sheer work rate and willingness to drive to the dirty areas give him the upper edge when it comes to fishing out pucks.

Of course, at 18 years old, there’s still plenty of time to grow and become a potential power tool in the coming years.

Above all else, Bears’ game is built on a relentless motor, which provides nightmares for opponents in all three zones.

Taken in the sixth round of the 2022 WHL draft, the Winnipeg product has continuously risen up the ranks over the last year. Thanks to a tremendous start to his draft-eligible campaign, some project him as a top-10 hopeful.

The issue? His season was cut short at 56 games following an unfortunate Achilles laceration. While the injury isn’t considered career-threatening, the unknown of what the incident will do to his overall mobility and long-term future casts a potential shadow on his eventual landing spot.

Could he still be considered a top-10 pick? His skill set says yes. But the injury setback could pose the perfect opportunity for the Vancouver Canucks to swoop in and grab a steal midway through the first round.

Before the injury, he fired at an incredible 1.46 clip—third among draft eligibles—with 40 goals and 82 points in 56 games.

Even with his season cut short, he still led the Everett Silvertips in most statistical aspects, including goals (40), points (82), and powerplay goals (14). All the while finishing second in penalty minutes (77), fourth in shots (185), and was a plus-33 for the campaign.

Offensively, he may not come as a pure sniper with a cannon-like shot, but Bear’s ability to release pucks quickly and find soft spots in coverage makes him a challenging read for most goalies. His knack for driving to high-danger zones, often outworking bigger defenders, leads to several avenues of getting pucks in the net.

He’s also not a traditional set-up guy, either. Yet, he uses his tactical hockey sense, soft hands, and puck protection to draw in defenders and create open lanes before sending the calculated dish to his linemate.

Ultimately, not one singular area makes him an offensive threat; rather, a medley of a few elements propped up with an incredible drive to make things happen and happen often.

Bear becomes a one-man show when he gets going, and his game is defined by a raw work ethic that keeps the engine running.

He doesn’t take shifts off; whether in the defensive or offensive zone, he’s willing to do what it takes to get the job done. Is that taking a hit to make the play? Is that diving in front of the shot? Or, is that running a tireless forecheck to fish out pucks in the corner? It doesn’t matter. He’ll do it.

Despite his average size, he plays with ferocity, racking up hits (nearly two hits per game) and various defensive metrics.

From a coach’s perspective, his game is relatively low-maintenance. Bear is a player who can be placed in various high-leverage situations and positions on the ice. He can play the cycle game, the crash and bang game, or the finesse game, while his high instincts make him an all-around 200-foot threat, including on the penalty kill.

In our humble opinion, his work ethic is unmatched among this class, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a player more aggressive and successful off the wall.

Technically, Bear is considered a winger. However, many scouts have alluded to his details and attention to the two-way game, which offers NHL centre potential. So, while that may never come to fruition, playing centre full-time appears to be in the cards.

The Achilles injury slightly shadows his mobility, which has never been considered elite. While his average skating stride has never impeded his overall ability to be effective, there is a lack of separating speed and ability to burn defenders off the rush.

Luckily, Bear’s game doesn’t hinge on being the fastest player; instead, his hustle and ability to outwork opponents make him a constant presence.

Assuming he can recover and return to his pre-injury form, he offers a high floor as a middle-six pest with top-six potential. For a team like the Vancouver Canucks, he could be a mid-first-round steal, bringing energy, skill, and heart to a lineup as a possible fan-favourite for year’s to come.

Bear’s tantalizing skillset makes him a true unicorn in the 10-20 range, and his willingness to do whatever it takes—whether diving for a loose puck, sacrificing his body, or stirring the pot with physical play—sets him apart. Assuming he can recover and return to his pre-injury form, he offers a high floor as a middle-six pest with top-six potential. For a team like the Vancouver Canucks, he could be a mid-first-round steal, bringing energy, skill, and heart to a lineup as a possible fan-favorite for year’s to come.