ARLINGTON, V.A. — The road back to the Washington Capitals hasn't been easy for Ethan Bear. But it's surely been worth it.

After a year down in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, Bear is rejuventated, feeling more like himself, and now back up for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And for him, it's like no time has passed at all.

"Feels like I've never left," he said with a smile.

There's nothing like the playoffs, and nothing like NHL hockey. That's why experiencing it now is even sweeter for the 27-year-old.

Toward the end of last season, Bear wasn't feeling like himself. He'd signed a two-year deal to join Washington in the middle of the year, but couldn't find consistency as he struggled to secure a full-time spot in the lineup. Off the ice, he was exhausted as he dealt with undiagnosed depression and anxiety.

"Last year was very hard for me mentally, physically... I've never been through something like that before," Bear said at the start of the season, adding, "I noticed myself not being able to go to bed at night, not being able to wake up in the morning... it was hard for me. It felt like everything was just very challenging to do."

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Knowing he needed help, Bear entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in late March. He left a whole new person, and going into training camp, he was just thrilled to be playing hockey again.

"What he went through last year was obviously difficult," Charlie Lindgren said of his locker room neighbor. "I remember (when) he came back... just looking at him, I could just see he looked way better. Just physically, way healthier, mentally, he was in such a good spot."

While Bear had a strong training camp, with a clearer mind and better attitude, there weren't many vacancies on the revamped Capitals blue line, and coach Spencer Carbery felt he could benefit from more playing time and sent him to the AHL.

That's never an easy pill to swallow, especially for an established NHLer. However, Bear was just grateful for any chance to take the ice and play again.

"Guys who played a long time in the NHL, you go down, and I've seen it all year. They just kind of have a big ego, and they think they're too good for the AHL and they just don't play well," Bear said. "For me, I think all I wanted to do was just play... It didn't matter where I was, as long as I was playing."

Down in Hershey, Bear thrived, playing heavy minutes and making a statement as one of the league's top performers. In 62 games, he picked up 10 goals and 36 assists for 46 points, along with a plus/minus rating of plus-33. His performance earned him AHL All-Star team honors and a trip to the All-Star Game.

All the while, he and his family fit in well in Pennsylvania, and the locker room felt like family, helping him enjoy the game even more.

"It was unbelievable. I really needed it," Bear said of his time in Hershey. "Just kind of made the best out of it, I think that's all I could do. And it was a lot of fun, fun to play a lot of hockey, the whole thing, I can't say enough about it, just a good time from the guys, the organization down there."

Finally, in April, Bear got the news he was working toward. He'd put on a show in the regular season, and with the Capitals gearing up for what they hope will be a long playoff run, Bear earned a call-up to the NHL as one of the black aces.

"It's so exciting to see the energy, the environment, the competitiveness and every game, that's what makes it a great, great experience," Bear said.

For now, Bear's objective is to remain ready for the opportunity to draw in when it presents itself, while also adding to the positive culture in the room.

"It's been a lot of fun for myself," Bear said, adding, "(I'll) keep working and enjoying the moment."

As for the Capitals, they're behind him all the way.

"I'm a big fan of Bearsy... he's an NHL hockey player. It's fun to see him back up here and he looks really good," Lindgren said. "Still the same great guy, and definitely someone to root for."