{"id":943,"date":"2025-04-26T15:41:09","date_gmt":"2025-04-26T15:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/943\/"},"modified":"2025-04-26T15:41:09","modified_gmt":"2025-04-26T15:41:09","slug":"carter-bear-2025-nhl-draft-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/943\/","title":{"rendered":"Carter Bear 2025 NHL Draft Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s that time of the year for\u00a0The Win Column\u2019s\u00a0NHL draft rankings and draft profiles! Using our very own\u00a0consolidated rankings<\/a>, we will be taking a look at the top 50 prospects for this year\u2019s draft. The 2025 NHL Draft will take place on June 27 and 28 at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. The NHL is testing a decentralized draft this summer.<\/p>\n

Coming up next is the Everett Silvertips\u2019 very own, Carter Bear. Bear had a great draft year with the Silvertips, adding to his versatility of being able to play any forward position. It will be surprising if he does not go in the first half.<\/p>\n

Who is Carter Bear?<\/p>\n

PlayerPositionHandednessHeightWeightCarter BearC\/WLeft6\u20190\u2033176lbs<\/p>\n

Bear\u2019s on-ice production<\/p>\n

YearDraft RelativeLeagueTeamGPGAP2019\u201320D-5WAAA U14Winnipeg Hawks U14 AAA303918572020\u201321D-4WAAA U15Winnipeg Hawks U15 AAA45382021\u201322D-3MU18HLWinnipeg Thrashers U18 AAA392517422022\u201323D-2MU18HLWinnipeg Thrashers U18 AAA31322759WHLEverett Silvertips191122023\u201324D-1WHLEverett Silvertips672532572024\u201325D+0WHLEverett Silvertips56404282<\/p>\n

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\u201320 and 2020\u201321 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.<\/p>\n

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\u201324. On a very good Silvertips team, Bear was given a decent role amongst the team\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

It was a good rookie campaign, but no chance for rookie of the year when he\u2019s 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\u2019t have the greatest playoffs, with only four points in nine games.<\/p>\n

Bear\u2019s highly productive draft year<\/p>\n

Heading into the 2024\u201325 season, the Silvertips had high expectations, as they were adding exceptional status player Landon DuPont to an already fantastic team. Bear\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019 playoff games this season.<\/p>\n

Even with the big injury, Bear\u2019s draft stock barely wavered, or didn\u2019t 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\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n

Bear\u2019s strengths<\/p>\n

Puck skills<\/p>\n

Even though everyone recognizes it as a strength, Bear\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s not a Patrick Kane consistently using quick hands to dominate, but that doesn\u2019t mean it isn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

All-around play<\/p>\n

What you\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n

Bear has a goal scorer\u2019s 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\u2019s rare to see Bear gliding in the defensive end. He is used by the Silvertips in all situations at any forward position.<\/p>\n

Consistent high-end effort<\/p>\n

The other thing that everyone raves about when it comes to Bear is how he\u2019ll 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\u2019t seem to be afraid of anything.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s always looking for a lane to generate, not sitting back or trying to force something. He\u2019s 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\u2019s not the smart thing to do, you are very likely watching an off shift.<\/p>\n

Bear\u2019s areas of improvement<\/p>\n

Add some muscle<\/p>\n

Bear isn\u2019t necessarily small at 6\u20190\u2033 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.<\/p>\n

Inconsistent skating<\/p>\n

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\u2019t there. However, I think these explosions are a little inconsistent. It could be that he thinks he doesn\u2019t have the steps to gain speed, or he\u2019s just going for other options. If Bear could take full control of this raw explosiveness, it could add a lot to his game.<\/p>\n

Bear\u2019s comparables<\/p>\n

With Bear\u2019s 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\u2019re not the biggest players, but that doesn\u2019t scare any of them.<\/p>\n

As a prospect, Bear reminds me a ton of Tij Iginla from last year\u2019s draft, too.<\/p>\n

Fit with the Flames<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Summary<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Risk: 1.5\/5<\/p>\n

Reward: 4\/5<\/p>\n

NHL Comparable: Travis Konecny or Brandon Hagel<\/p>\n

Projection: Versatile, top-six forward<\/p>\n

Check out all of The Win Column\u2019s individual player profiles of selected 2025 NHL Draft prospects:<\/p>\n

Matthew Schaefer<\/a> | Michael Misa<\/a> | James Hagens<\/a> | Porter Martone<\/a> | Anton Frondell<\/a> | Victor Eklund<\/a> | Roger McQueen<\/a> | Caleb Desnoyers<\/a> | Jackson Smith<\/a> | Jake O\u2019Brien<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s that time of the year for\u00a0The Win Column\u2019s\u00a0NHL draft rankings and draft profiles! Using our very own\u00a0consolidated…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":944,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[462],"tags":[584,724,619,725,726,727,401,97,26,163,541,728,729,5,4,465,466,730,731,406],"class_list":{"0":"post-943","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nhl-draft","8":"tag-2025-nhl-draft","9":"tag-2025-nhl-draft-comparison","10":"tag-2025-nhl-draft-profile","11":"tag-2025-nhl-draft-prospects","12":"tag-2025-nhl-draft-rankings","13":"tag-2025-nhl-draft-report","14":"tag-ahl","15":"tag-brandon-hagel","16":"tag-calgary-flames","17":"tag-calgary-wranglers","18":"tag-carter-bear","19":"tag-carter-bear-nhl-draft","20":"tag-everett-silvertips","21":"tag-hockey","22":"tag-nhl","23":"tag-nhl-draft","24":"tag-nhl-entry-draft","25":"tag-tij-iginla","26":"tag-travis-konecny","27":"tag-whl"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=943"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/943\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/944"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}