Detroit Red Wings believe they’ve found a key piece of the puzzle. Carter Bear, the club’s 13th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, signed a three-year entry-level contract this July—and already, his future seems bright.
But let's not get too ahead of ourselves. We see this in boxing all the time. The last thing you need is to get a kid overconfident before they've even hit that potential.
With that said, let's be realistic. He's got some fight in him. Bear has a good engine; he's relentless, physical, and he can score. Furthermore, he has a high hockey IQ, which is more or less, tailor-made for a growing Red Wings team.
A future power forward
Bear’s production in the WHL says it all. In 2024–25, he notched an impressive 82 points (40 goals, 42 assists) in just 56 games for the Everett Silvertips.
He also led his team in game-winning goals, was named to the WHL Western Conference All-Star team, and racked up 14 power play goals. This is just the beginning.
Bear is the type of player that teams hate to play against, but if he's on your squad, of course, it's fantastic. He fights for every possession, backchecks efficiently, and he never gives up.
The same can be said when he's on the sidelines. Despite an Achilles injury in March, Bear made no excuses. He returned to development camp in July and impressed the scouts enough that they're already envisioning the next step.
Carter Bear is a perfect fit
Detroit has committed to building around disciplined, high-octane players. Carter Bear draws comparisons to Brandon Hagel, a winger who can shift momentum with a hit or a goal. Another player that comes to mind is Mikko Rantanen. When he's on his game, he can really turn it on.
The best bet for the organization would be to have Bear return to the WHL for another season and continue to develop him at the current pace. There's no need to rush him, but if he continues to impress and get better at an even more advanced level, he could make his NHL debut sooner rather than later.
As of late, the Wings have favored patience with their top prospects, which has allowed them to mature. However, with Detroit trying to get back into the postseason, we shouldn't be surprised if perhaps they push Bear just a little bit harder. Don't rule out a call-up as early as next spring. If Bear can stay healthy and his offensive growth continues, let's give him a chance.
At 6’1” and 194 pounds, Bear’s size and strength are already impressive at his age. As he develops that man strength, he's only going to get stronger. Give it a few years and Bear could be part of a line that includes players like Marco Kasper and Jonathan Berggren.
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