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Islanders sign defenseman Ethan Bear to one-year deal

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Steven Ellis | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 1:55 PM ET

The New York Islanders have signed defenseman Ethan Bear to a one-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $775,000.

The 28-year-old spent all of 2024-25 with the AHL’s Hershey Bears, the minor league affiliate of the Washington Capitals. Bear had his most productive pro hockey season to date, scoring 10 goals and 46 points in 62 games. He earned a spot in the AHL all-star game for the first time in his career.

The #Isles have signed 28 y/o UFA RD Ethan Bear to a 1 year $775K Cap Hit deal

NHL: $775K
Minors: $325K
Guaranteed: $425K

Rep'd by Jason Davidson @TC_wolfpack https://t.co/lFC3dPekad
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 1, 2025

Bear last played in the NHL during the 2023-24 season with the Capitals. He scored a goal and added three assists, registering a minus-five rating while averaging just under 15 minutes per game in a more depth role with the Caps. Bear would miss the end of the season after entering the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in March of 2024.

Bear was drafted 124th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015. The 28-year-old has played in 275 games over six years, scoring 17 goals and 67 points over six years. He played some of his best hockey in 2019-20, registering 21 points in 71 games with the Oilers.

Bear struggled to find ice time over the next few years, and jumped to Carolina in 2021-22 before moving to Vancouver the following year. An injury at the 2023 World Championship forced him into a later start in 2023-24, but he still managed to give the Capitals some depth.

Before making his NHL debut, Bear spent four full seasons with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds. He set a personal best of 28 goals and 70 points iun 20216-17, which earned him the Bill Hunter Trophy as the WHL’s top defenseman. That same year, he led the playoffs with 20 assists as the Thunderbirds won the WHL title.

The Islanders also signed David Rittich earlier in the day to help bolster the team’s defensive depth.