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The Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman successfully acquired a star goal scorer in the WHL’s Carter Beart at the 2025 NHL draft in Los Angeles.
Steve Yzerman may not be known for his great trades, but his draft skills are second to none.
We’ve seen multiple prospects graduate from the AHL to the Detroit Red Wings this season.
The next player we’re going to mention was selected 13th overall in 2025 by GM Steve Yzerman, a power forward of the WHL’s Everett Silvertips, Carter Bear.
Bear has been red hot in the WHL, scoring 7 goals in the last four games. That is more than a point per game in one of the toughest leagues in the CHL.
This season, Bear has been on fire, scoring 23 points (11-12) in 19 games. This puts Bear on pace for an 82-point season in a regular 68-game WHL season.
The Detroit Red Wings select Carter Bear 13th overall in 2025
Carter Bear was one of multiple players Yzerman could’ve selected with this 13th overall pick.
Instead of shoring up a blueline that is maturing and has plenty of arrivals on the way with Kashawn Aitcheson, or acquiring Victor Eklund, a skilled Swedish forward, they selected Bear.
A two-way forward who plays hard, can provide a net-front presence, and has a work ethic are all traits NHL GMs love.
“He possesses quick, soft hands, legit skill, good speed and a natural shot but he also stays around it, plays with intensity, works extremely hard and goes to the net and inside ice. I’ve seen him make some impressive skill plays this season and dance goalies and defensemen, but he can also beat you with his work ethic and I like both the intentionality of his game and the way he uses his skill to play to the middle third.”
This iteration of the Red Wings will be the best we’ve seen in some time, and Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat will be here to help Bear grow into an NHL superstar if all the cards fall into place.
The 19-year-old forward still has plenty of development to go through before he turns pro, but what we see, we like.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
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Successful acquisition by Red Wings’ GM Steve Yzerman in Los Angeles: A star goal-scorer
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