Carter Bear 2025 NHL Draft Profile

Player	Position	Handedness	Height	Weight
Carter Bear	C/W	Left	6’0″	176lbs

Bear’s on-ice production

Year	Draft Relative	League	Team	GP	G	A	P
2019–20	D-5	WAAA U14	Winnipeg Hawks U14 AAA	30	39	18	57
2020–21	D-4	WAAA U15	Winnipeg Hawks U15 AAA	4	5	3	8
2021–22	D-3	MU18HL	Winnipeg Thrashers U18 AAA	39	25	17	42
2022–23	D-2	MU18HL	Winnipeg Thrashers U18 AAA	31	32	27	59
		WHL	Everett Silvertips	19	1	1	2
2023–24	D-1	WHL	Everett Silvertips	67	25	32	57
2024–25	D+0	WHL	Everett Silvertips	56	40	42	82

Before joining the WHL, Carter Bear lit up Western AAA, like many top prospects. Bear was truly dominant in his AAA years. Almost two points per game and a 25+ goal pace in every single season. Despite his great 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons, Bear would be selected in the sixth round of the 2021 WHL draft by the Everett Silvertips. Bear would use this as motivation to become something for the Silvertips.

After a year of 32 goals and 59 points in 31 games for the Winnipeg Thrashers, plus a two-game stint for the Silvertips, Bear would have his rookie season in 2023–24. On a very good Silvertips team, Bear was given a decent role amongst the team’s deep forward group. He took hold of the opportunity and scored 25 goals and 57 points in 67 games. The solid rookie year would place him sixth in team scoring.

It was a good rookie campaign, but no chance for rookie of the year when he’s going up against Gavin McKenna. The Silvertips and Bear quickly worked the Vancouver Giants in round one of the playoffs, but then got swept by the Portland Winterhawks in round two. Bear didn’t have the greatest playoffs, with only four points in nine games.

Bear’s highly productive draft year

Heading into the 2024–25 season, the Silvertips had high expectations, as they were adding exceptional status player Landon DuPont to an already fantastic team. Bear’s role was highly elevated, and he took full advantage. By the end of October, he had 21 points in 14 games, 12 of which were goals.

Bear continued his dominance throughout the year, finishing with 40 goals and 82 points in 56 games. A pace for 48 goals and 100 points across a full 68-game season. Unfortunately, Bear missed 12 games because his season ended in early March with a lacerated Achilles. Bear did not play in any of the Silvertips’ playoff games this season.

Even with the big injury, Bear’s draft stock barely wavered, or didn’t waver at all. He climbed and went from second-round pick to likely going in the top half of the first. Personally, Bear is one of my favourite prospects in this year’s draft.

Bear’s strengths

Puck skills

Even though everyone recognizes it as a strength, Bear’s puck skills are an underrated aspect of his game. He can control the puck in all the ways that you want a player to. Despite not having a super big frame, Bear is great at protecting the puck. He can use a strong stance or an impactful screen with his arm to hold off defenders from getting the puck off his stick.

He also controls the puck in the simple ways. Cycling the puck, slowly moving around the zone, Bear is able to do it in an effective manner. Then, he can put it all together and have some highlight plays of his own. He’s not a Patrick Kane consistently using quick hands to dominate, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t in his toolbox. Bear can move his hands in swift motions. Smooth and fast, he can make his way past defenders and then put the puck past the goalie.

All-around play

What you’ll hear the most about Bear is his all-around play. He brings crucial skills in both the offensive and defensive zone. Starting in the attacking end, he practically brings the full package. He is able to use great vision and smarts to generate opportunities. Outstanding passes, constant movement, proper positioning, he is either becoming an option for his teammates or somehow finding his teammates through traffic.

Bear has a goal scorer’s touch, whether it be a nicely placed shot or fighting to get the puck into the net. A net-front presence or a skilled cycler, he can be either. He can generate in high-paced hockey or under pressure. Heading down to the defensive end, he once again uses his smarts to put himself in proper positioning. He takes away lanes from his opponents and applies pressure to shut down an opposing attack. It’s rare to see Bear gliding in the defensive end. He is used by the Silvertips in all situations at any forward position.

Consistent high-end effort

The other thing that everyone raves about when it comes to Bear is how he’ll never take a shift off. Once again, offensively or defensively, he is always fighting to create something positive for his team. He hunts for the puck in every zone. Entering puck battles, heading into corners, and placing himself in front of the net, Bear doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything.

He’s always looking for a lane to generate, not sitting back or trying to force something. He’s also always looking for a lane to shut down, placing his stick on the ice for an interception or taking advantage of a vulnerable player. If you see Bear sitting back and watching the play when it’s not the smart thing to do, you are very likely watching an off shift.

Bear’s areas of improvement

Add some muscle

Bear isn’t necessarily small at 6’0″ 176 pounds, but some additional muscle could go a long way for him. He consistently goes into the dirtier areas of the ice but is sometimes unsuccessful due to being out-muscled. Some more strength will not only help Bear as he makes the step to professional hockey but also help him become even more dominant at the WHL level.

Inconsistent skating

Bear has bursts of speed that can make him look like a high-end skater. He can explode past the defence and create a breakaway that wasn’t there. However, I think these explosions are a little inconsistent. It could be that he thinks he doesn’t have the steps to gain speed, or he’s just going for other options. If Bear could take full control of this raw explosiveness, it could add a lot to his game.

Bear’s comparables

With Bear’s all-around game and never-ending effort, my mind immediately goes to Travis Konecny and Brandon Hagel. Like Bear, both are used in all situations by their teams. They are heavily trusted by their coaches to go out and make an impact. Konecny and Hagel can put the puck in the back of the net or set up their teammates for a goal. All three of these players also have a little edge to their game and are willing to go into the dirty areas. They’re not the biggest players, but that doesn’t scare any of them.

As a prospect, Bear reminds me a ton of Tij Iginla from last year’s draft, too.

Fit with the Flames

Bear is a tough player for any team to not have a fit for. With the versatility of playing any forward position, the Flames would have the option to attempt to develop him as a centre, but if they fail, they still get an impactful winger. He is one of those players who will instantly become a fan favourite with his effort. He also has the potential to be a very impactful player. Bear does trend to be more of a winger, but I still think it would be a little ridiculous to pass up on the versatility and potential.

Summary

A prospect that saw his draft stock skyrocket this year, Carter Bear was the best player on a first-place Everett Silvertips team. With awesome production, his skillset fully shone. He brings an all-around game with underrated puck skills and a motor that never shuts off. Bear can play any forward position and can be used in any situation, making him one of the most versatile options at the top of the draft. A player I believe to have a very high floor but also an unappreciated ceiling.

Risk: 1.5/5

Reward: 4/5

NHL Comparable: Travis Konecny or Brandon Hagel

Projection: Versatile, top-six forward

Check out all of The Win Column’s individual player profiles of selected 2025 NHL Draft prospects:

Matthew Schaefer | Michael Misa | James Hagens | Porter Martone | Anton Frondell | Victor Eklund | Roger McQueen | Caleb Desnoyers | Jackson Smith | Jake O’Brien