Inside Carter Bear’s long road to Canada’s World Junior team — and the work ethic that defines him
December 30, 2025
Inside Carter Bear’s long road to Canada’s World Junior team — and the work ethic that defines him
10 comments
Unfortunately no way to share w/o the paywall (boo NYT – why not expand your gift article system to the Athletic?), but here’s a couple good quotes:
> Bear had two things that drove him: he was “incredibly smart,” and he had a “level of determination that you don’t see.”
> “He’s a second, third and fourth effort guy. He just kind of never quits on anything and turns the most casual of plays into something simply because he tracks, outworks, strips pucks and finds a way,” Hamilton said. “(That) doesn’t always get appreciated from a distance, but when you see it firsthand over and over, you really do value that.”
[…]
> Millar told The Athletic that if they selected the team in October, Bear wouldn’t have been on it because of the injury and the slow start.
> But in the final eight games before they announced the team, Bear registered nine goals and 15 points. And Hockey Canada was paying attention.
> “He’s an example where you can’t rush to decisions based on the start of the year,” Millar said. “You have to take everything into context. The injury, what did his summer look like? Carter, for me, is an honest player, brings us versatility, can play up and down the lineup. I think he’s a guy that can help you win. We kept that in mind as we were making our final decisions.”
Players like this on your 2nd/3rd line win playoff series. See: Florida panthers
Bear is probably the prospect I’m most excited about out of all of Yzerman’s picks. That pain in the ass tenacity and ferocity to his game is exactly what you want, what we need, what teams hate to play against, and what wins playoff games
I like Bear, but I am still surprised we did not pick Eklund. Just when I think Steve is going to zig he zags. I felt the same way about Eiserman vs MBN. I am happy/hoping I am wrong though. So far the draft picks have been great even when I preferred a different player. The Eklund pick seemed so perfect for Detroit though…
Great article. Love Bear, I think of all the forward prospects we’ve taken since Raymond, he’s the one I like the most.
Didn’t he fall in the draft due to injury?
Didn’t he fall in the draft due to injury?
Bear looked good in the limited time he got last night. Effective on the forecheck, good at making space for himself, good puck movement. I’m frustrated that they don’t give him a better look given that there are many players in that lineup who haven’t looked great
Todd had some really nice thing to say about Bear during the pre-season.
10 comments
Unfortunately no way to share w/o the paywall (boo NYT – why not expand your gift article system to the Athletic?), but here’s a couple good quotes:
> Bear had two things that drove him: he was “incredibly smart,” and he had a “level of determination that you don’t see.”
> “He’s a second, third and fourth effort guy. He just kind of never quits on anything and turns the most casual of plays into something simply because he tracks, outworks, strips pucks and finds a way,” Hamilton said. “(That) doesn’t always get appreciated from a distance, but when you see it firsthand over and over, you really do value that.”
[…]
> Millar told The Athletic that if they selected the team in October, Bear wouldn’t have been on it because of the injury and the slow start.
> But in the final eight games before they announced the team, Bear registered nine goals and 15 points. And Hockey Canada was paying attention.
> “He’s an example where you can’t rush to decisions based on the start of the year,” Millar said. “You have to take everything into context. The injury, what did his summer look like? Carter, for me, is an honest player, brings us versatility, can play up and down the lineup. I think he’s a guy that can help you win. We kept that in mind as we were making our final decisions.”
Players like this on your 2nd/3rd line win playoff series. See: Florida panthers
Bear is probably the prospect I’m most excited about out of all of Yzerman’s picks. That pain in the ass tenacity and ferocity to his game is exactly what you want, what we need, what teams hate to play against, and what wins playoff games
https://archive.ph/ru5LH
Not sure if this allowed.
I like Bear, but I am still surprised we did not pick Eklund. Just when I think Steve is going to zig he zags. I felt the same way about Eiserman vs MBN. I am happy/hoping I am wrong though. So far the draft picks have been great even when I preferred a different player. The Eklund pick seemed so perfect for Detroit though…
Great article. Love Bear, I think of all the forward prospects we’ve taken since Raymond, he’s the one I like the most.
Didn’t he fall in the draft due to injury?
Didn’t he fall in the draft due to injury?
Bear looked good in the limited time he got last night. Effective on the forecheck, good at making space for himself, good puck movement. I’m frustrated that they don’t give him a better look given that there are many players in that lineup who haven’t looked great
Todd had some really nice thing to say about Bear during the pre-season.