Get to Know Ethan Bear

Date of Birth: Regina, SK, CN
Place of Birth: 6/26/1997
Ht: 5’11” Wt: 201 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Defenseman
Team: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Ethan Bear is a prospect who has quietly worked his way through obstacles throughout his entire career. Drafted in the 2nd round of the WHL Bantam Draft, Bear came on and produced a quality rookie season of 19 points, including 6 goals, in 58 games played.

Coming into this season, Bear was rated as a “B” prospect from CSS, making him a likely middle round player. Despite doubling his point production from the previous season to 38 points, including 13 goals, Bear’s time on the 3rd pairing of a good Seattle team was not enough to drastically alter his likely fortune on draft day.

Statistics

What Scouts See

Hockey Prospectus:

Solid slap shot. Solid in transitions. Fairly effortless skater, is relatively nimble and gets across the ice easily, smooth skater in general. Moves best when going laterally, pretty seamless in transitions too. Not exceedingly great, but a good, efficient skater overall, better than most defenders in the WHL. Smart, efficient passer, quickly finds productive outlets but will resort to simple chip outs if nothing is available.

Decision making is questionable at times, seems to lose interest in the game or doesn’t engage as much as he should, poor decisions as a result. Stops skating at times and won’t commit as much as you’d expect him too, questions about his commitment at higher levels. Has a bomb of a slapshot and a wicked one-timer, he gets a ton of power in his release. Not a force defensively – despite efficient skating style, he gets beat wide often and seems to play a step behind the play.

Plays like a junior player and little about his game screams “professional” other than production, should improve work ethic to breakthrough.

What BSN Avalanche sees

Of the 20 prospects I’ve profiled so far, Bear was by far the toughest for me to get a read on. There were times Bear looked like a high-quality defender who could lock players down in transition and then other times he gave up oceans of space to oncoming puck carriers and watched them blow by him with ease. He plays well laterally but struggles with handling speedier players going wide on him.

There are times Bear looks phenomenal but consistency was a problem in my viewings. He loses focus a little too often for my tastes and the mistakes he made were often costly.

Offensively, Bear is very impressive. He has a great shot from the point that he uses to great effect, as evidenced by his 15 goals this season. He wasn’t a strong even strength performer but his power play numbers were impressive enough to make one believe that’s where he’s going to have to excel if he’s going to make it in pro hockey.

Bear plays an effective game on both ends of the ice when he’s locked in and is an intriguing middle round prospect. His production suggests he would go higher but unfortunately his game is too much of a roller coaster to warrant much more than that.

Highlights

NHL Potential

Bear projects to be a middle-pairing defenseman at best, where he would be best suited partnered with a strong defensive player to complement his offensive game.

Expected Draft Position

Bear’s rankings seem to be finding a decent point of consensus, as CSS has him 97th among NA skaters, Corey Pronman (ESPN) has him 86th, Future Considerations has him 86th also, and Craig Button has him 77th, his highest ranking. If he’s actually selected according to these rankings, Bear should expect to come off the board starting in the 3rd round and beyond.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization

As a right-handed defenseman, Bear would be a decent fit with the Avalanche as the majority of Colorado’s defensive prospects are left-handed. That said, Bear’s size and play style aren’t a very good fit with what Colorado’s front office has been targeting in recent years.

With the variance of rankings to actual selections come draft day, Avs fans should hope Bear is a lower selection if the Avalanche do pick him. In my opinion, he would not be a great selection in the third round but in the 4th or 6th (the Avs don’t currently have a 5th round pick) rounds Bear would be a great value selection, though it’s very unlikely he lasts that long come draft day.