2015 Draft - 3rd pick: Ethan Bear (2017: Named WHL D-Man of the Year)

[Aceboogie]

This kid will need at least 3 seasons in the AHL to make the jump to the NHL. If he can make the NHL, its a ways away.

Hes not a for sure bet yet.

I think 3 years is a bit of a stretch. Most D that end up in nhl don't spend 3 years in ahl after 2 years in whl.

But agreed he's not a for sure bet. Siemens won this award as well

 

[Beerfish]

If he can handle the defense responsibility in this league he is just what this team needs, a huge bomb from the point and a guy that knows how to get open to use it.

Draisaitl and McDavid softly sifting pucks back to him on the pp.....drool

That is an underrated skill, some guys can shoot but have no idea how to get themselves open

 

[McMozesmadness]

gone

 

[ImmuneEH]

LINK

Was hoping you'd post a vid like this for Bear! Thanks so much. Man, what an incredible talent this kid has.

 

[Oilyveins97*]

Honestly if he improves his skating, he's a lock to be at worst a 3rd pairing/pp specialist in the NHL.

I don't remember the last time I've seen a kid playing junior shoot the puck like him.

 

[fancy dan]

he's in pretty prestigious company with his WHL defenseman of the year award.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Hunter_Memorial_Trophy

 

[GMofOilers]

he's in pretty prestigious company with his WHL defenseman of the year award.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Hunter_Memorial_Trophy

The really good ones win it before the last year in the WHL.

 

[Oilyveins97*]

he's in pretty prestigious company with his WHL defenseman of the year award.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Hunter_Memorial_Trophy

Kris Russell had a 32 goal yr in Med Hat.... wtf

 

[Jepprey]

Bear raising game, expectations for Oilers

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Bear's offensive game reminds me so much of Phil Housley.

Head up all times, waits for a screen to form or a deflection opportunity to appear

I really hope he pans out.

 

[NeverForget06]

Somehow I was unaware that he shoots right. What a treat.

 

[Mcnotloilersfan]

he's in pretty prestigious company with his WHL defenseman of the year award.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Hunter_Memorial_Trophy

Oooo Jeff Woywitka. Will he be part of a deal with with Nurse and Jones for Doughty?

 

[Bryanbryoil]

He comes across as such a solid young man off the ice in interviews, I hope that he pans out for us, his shot and offensive abilities paired up with our high end skill up front would be awesome.

 

[s7ark]

I love 95% of Bear 's game. But he has one glaring flaw that will keep him from being an impact NHLer . His footspeed isn't good enough yet. I really hope he is working really hard on this over the summer. Skating can be improved, especially in players his size. But he needs to put in a lot of effort.

I'm still pulling for him. He'd be a dream come true player if he can keep up with NHL players .

 

[Aceboogie]

Kris Russell had a 32 goal yr in Med Hat.... wtf

Dude was a beast in junior, full respect for him for developing the things he had to in order to make the nhl. Wasn't going to make it on offense to focused on all out defense

 

[McMozesmadness]

 

[McFlyingV]

Watching those highlights from the NHL for Bear just gets me excited for what our PP could look like in a couple years. Bouchard on the top PP with Bear on the 2nd unit.

 

[PaPaDee]

If Bear can improve his foot speed, he could become a 2nd pairing, offensive Dman.

 

[Aerchon]

Talking about Jones Season last year puts Bears into perspective. Both were big risers in Junior but only Bear has taken the next step in the ahl/nhl. Very strong development by him. Thus why he is our #3 prospect.

Be awesome to end up with not one but two solid top 4 offensive weapons on our blueline with him and Bouchard. Both still have a long ways to go unfortunately tho.

 

[Joey Moss]

I get the sense that Bear will be one of those guys to start in the AHL this season and never go back once being called up after a month or two.

 

[TheNumber4]

Bear is going to make Benning's contract yet another Chia embarrassment very soon. What a shot, , snappy passes, and great vision. His short stint in the NHL last season is already better than anything Benning's done. No way Bear doesn't make this team.

 

[Spawn]

Bear is going to make Benning's contract yet another Chia embarrassment very soon. What a shot, , snappy passes, and great vision. His short stint in the NHL last season is already better than anything Benning's done. No way Bear doesn't make this team.

There literally isn't a single thing Bear did better than Benning last year. Bear has plenty of promise, but as a 20 year old in his brief stint in the NHL last year he wasn't even remotely close to Benning. Literally not remotely close.

Benning scored goals and points at a better rate. Had vastly superior shot metrics. Vastly superior GA/60 numbers. Vastly superior GF/60 numbers. Was vastly more physical. Both players played sheltered, bottom pairing minutes. Benning did well with those minutes. Bear got embarrassed. He wasn't remotely close to being ready to play in the NHL. Miles behind Matt Benning. Objectively and unarguably so.

 

[The Nuge]

I get the sense that Bear will be one of those guys to start in the AHL this season and never go back once being called up after a month or two.

I don’t know. If our defense is healthy, it doesn’t make sense to have him up sitting in the press box. Our top 6 is set to the point where Bouchard and Bear will have a really hard time sticking. And I do like Bear. He’s just better off being in the AHL ripping it up

 

[TheNumber4]

There literally isn't a single thing Bear did better than Benning last year. Bear has plenty of promise, but as a 20 year old in his brief stint in the NHL last year he wasn't even remotely close to Benning. Literally not remotely close.

Benning scored goals and points at a better rate. Had vastly superior shot metrics. Vastly superior GA/60 numbers. Vastly superior GF/60 numbers. Was vastly more physical. Both players played sheltered, bottom pairing minutes. Benning did well with those minutes. Bear got embarrassed. He wasn't remotely close to being ready to play in the NHL. Miles behind Matt Benning. Objectively and unarguably so.

And all those "advantages" Benning had essentially amounts to him having more experience in the NHL. That's it. In all actual hockey skills and talent Bear trumps Benning. His shot is better, his passing is better, his vision is better, his instincts are better. Give Bear an equivalent time getting use to the NHL and it's not even close. I'll concede one thing Benning will do better if both has similar experience, and that's open ice hitting. But that's about it.

If you really don't think Bear will take Benning spot within 2 years, you better reassess how you evaluate talent.

 

[nexttothemoon]

Lowe/Stanton/Gravel are the types of dmen you want sitting in the pressbox as #7/8 dmen.

Bear should ideally be getting fed top pairing time/1st PP unit duty in the AHL but if he's in the NHL he has to be at a minimum on the bottom pairing getting some regular experience or else he's just sitting in the pressbox stagnating like a dman version of Leivo in Toronto.