Late on Monday night, the Edmonton Oilers announced that they've agreed to terms on a 2-year, $4 million contract ($2 million AAV) with defenceman Ethan Bear.
Good news Bears! 🐻
The #Oilers have signed defenceman Ethan Bear to a two-year contract extension through the 2021-22 season with an average annual value of $2 million. https://t.co/PRuF9Mci7z— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) December 29, 2020
Bear, 23, was drafted in the 5th round, 124th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. In 89 regular season games, he's recorded 25 points (6 G, 19 A), 43 penalty minutes, and is a -15. In 4 career playoff games, he has no points, no penalty minutes, and is a -4.
Before turning pro, Bear spent parts of five seasons in the Western Hockey League playing for the Seattle Thunderbirds. In 264 regular season games, he had 192 points (66 G, 126 A), 95 penalty minutes, and was a +50. In 50 playoff games, he tallied 55 points (17 G, 38 A), 26 penalty minutes, and was a +14.
The 2016-17 season was the best of Bear's junior career. He was an alternate captain, recorded a career high 71 points, was named WHL Defenceman of the Year, and helped Seattle win the WHL championship.
Internationally, Bear has represented Canada on a few occasions, most recently at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships. In 7 games, he put up 3 points (3 A), 6 penalty minutes, and was a +7 as Canada took home the bronze medal by defeating Switzerland in the third place game.
