While he didn’t land at 13th overall in my first mock draft, if the Detroit Red Wings kept the pick and used it to take Carter Bear, not a single fan in Hockeytown would complain. Bear may not be as big of a name as Michael Misa or James Hagens, and he’s likely not a top-five pick, but if he went in the top 10, it wouldn’t surprise me.
From watching his highlight reels, a few things jumped out, including an incredible hockey IQ. Bear looked like he was a step or two ahead of his opponents, knowing where the puck was going when his team possessed it, and was always there to finish a sequence or pitch in with a helper.
Bear also knew how to drive the puck straight to the net, which was a recurring theme in his highlight reel. But he also knew how to fool opponents and opposing goaltenders, skating right up to the crease at full speed before pulling off a deke and drilling the puck home.
Carter Bear looks like a wicked hybrid of a finisher slash playmaker
Take one look at Carter Bear’s statistics this past season, and you’ll see that he ended the year with 82 points and 40 goals across 56 games. Do the math, and that’s an incredible 1.46 points per game. Best yet, that’s a massive increase from the 57 points and 25 goals he put up in 67 games last season, further showcasing his growth.
Bear’s also an older prospect, as he’ll turn 19 on November 4th, meaning Red Wings fans won’t need to wait long until he’s eligible to play in the AHL come the 2026-27 season.
And he could be ready now if the AHL-CHL agreement didn’t exist, as he’s not far from boasting acceptable size for AHL play, clocking in at 176 lbs. If he puts another 10 pounds of muscle on between now and then, he’ll be another step closer.
Overall, Bear’s sometimes tenacious play and strong compete, juxtaposed with a blend of playmaking and finishing, should put him high on Steve Yzerman’s shortlist. Should he roll with a forward on draft day, there’s a strong chance Bear will be there for the taking.
Where would he fit in the organization if taken at 13th overall?
With the Red Wings core solidifying, it would be tough to see Bear making his NHL debut any time before the 2027-28 season, unless he made a cameo in 2026-27. Bear must also return to juniors this season - the Everett Silvertips - and complete one more year before he’s eligible for AHL play.
In 2026-27, it’s almost a guarantee he’d spend the entire year in the AHL, acclimating himself to the pro game before he’s even remotely ready to take the next step. The 2027-28 season would likely mirror this, so Bear wouldn’t be ready to suit up regularly for the Wings until 2028-29 at the earliest should he get drafted into the organization.
Still, from what his highlights suggest, the Wings would get a quick, tenacious player whose ability to keep control of the puck drives home his game. For me, that means he’d be more than worth the wait, and a fun prospect to watch develop.
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