One of the Detroit Red Wings' top prospects has quickly emerged as a name to watch in the organization's pipeline. Carter Bear, the club's 13th overall pick in the 2025 draft, made an immediate impact after joining the Red Wings and is now expected to make the jump to the professional level next season.

Bear got an early look at the pro game, playing three preseason contests before this past season, and the Red Wings clearly wanted to see what he could handle. He opened with heavy minutes before letting the NHL regulars take over as the preseason wound down. 

In his first game, Bear was a constant presence on the ice, logging just under 21 minutes with three shots on net and nearly six minutes of power play time. The physicality ramped up in his second outing, where Bear recorded four hits compared to just one in his opener, playing one fewer shift for a total of 26 while still logging just over 18 minutes. 

In his final preseason game, his ice time dropped to 12 and a half minutes with a pair of hits, and while the action was more limited, Bear remained noticeable whenever he was on the ice.

His noticeable presence carried over when Bear returned to junior hockey, helping the Everett Silvertips to their best record in franchise history. His individual point totals dipped slightly, with 77 points in 53 games compared to 82 points in 56 games the previous season, but that decline came with context. 

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Bear was in the middle of a significant shift in his playing style, transforming from a primarily skilled scoring forward into more of a physical threat.

The six-foot, 187 pound forward began using his frame more effectively, establishing himself as a legitimate net front presence while still retaining his playmaking ability and scoring touch. That offensive skill set was on full display when it mattered most, as Bear turned it on in the playoffs, racking up 22 points in 18 games.

Elite Prospects projects Bear to begin next season with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL, continuing his development at the professional level. But after a strong offseason, there is a real possibility Bear could push even further and factor into the conversation for a full-time role with the Red Wings.

Bear's offensive skill set has never been in question, and after a full season spent building out the physical side of his game specifically to prepare for the jump to professional hockey, it would not be surprising to see him push for an NHL roster spot sooner rather than later.

Should that happen, the hope would be that Bear could provide a similar kind of quick offensive impact to what Emmitt Finnie brought to the organization this past season.

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