Oilers sign former Harvest d’man

A former Yorkton Harvest (now Maulers) player may be headed to the big leagues.

Ethan Bear, 19, signed an entry level contract with the Edmonton Oilers earlier this month. The Oilers picked Bear in the fifth round, 124th overall, of the 2015 NHL entry draft and he played the 2015-2016 season with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds.

Dan Cross, who was an assistant coach in 2012-2013 when Bear held down the blue line here, remembers a good two-way defenceman, who is deserving of his shot at the pros.

That two-way play was on display big time last  season with the Seattle Thunderbirds as Bear put up 19 goals and 46 assists in 69 games, good for second overall on his team and fifth in the league among defencemen. His +/- was a stellar +14.

He has also distinguished himself internationally playing for Team Canada in U17 and U18 tournaments.

As a right shooting defender, Oilers fans are starting to get excited about Bear as a prospect. On the oilersnation.com blog, Matt Henderson writes:

“Bear is already a pleasant surprise doing what he has done as a fifth rounder. By virtue of his shooting preference, he had everybody’s eyes on him this season. What he did while we were watching was impressive enough that we should be excited about this young man’s potential.”

The book from International Scouting Services focuses on his defensive side.

“Bear is a strong physical defender and has displayed strong shutdown upside this season with Seattle in the WHL and with Team Canada at the U18 World Championships. Does a lot of things well, but mainly plays a strong defensive and physical game. Strong in front of the net and along the boards, doesn’t run around in the defensive zone and has good positioning.”

For his part, Bear was particularly excited about being signed by a Canadian team.

Of course, as a member of the Ochapawace First Nation (near Whitewood), he is frequently asked about being a role model for indigenous kids.

“I don’t take that for granted,” he said. “If someone wants to talk to me, or ask me a few questions, I want to talk to and listen to them. It wasn’t always easy for me, I went through some difficulties, but I think hockey really helped me out. Do something you like and if you enjoy it, stick to it.”

Bear’s two-way contract is good for three years and will pay him $655,000 in the first year, $730,000 in year two, and $780,000 in the final year if he plays in the NHL. With the American Hockey League affiliate Bakersville Condors, he will earn $70,000.