Fans Applaud as Red Wings Select Carter Bear on Friday Night: “Perfect Fit for Hockeytown”…read more…
The Detroit Red Wings made waves Friday night during the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft, selecting rugged defenseman Carter Bear to the delight of fans across Hockeytown. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound blueliner out of the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers was taken with the 43rd overall pick, a selection that sparked instant excitement across social media and among analysts praising Bear’s tenacity, hockey IQ, and two-way upside.
For many Red Wings faithful, Bear represents the type of player Detroit’s blue line has been missing — a mobile, tough, and smart defenseman who plays with an edge and isn’t afraid to make an impact on both ends of the ice. Within minutes of his name being called, “Carter Bear” was trending on X (formerly Twitter) in the Detroit metro area, as fans reacted with enthusiasm and optimism about the pick.
A Rising Star from British Columbia
Bear, a native of Prince George, British Columbia, has steadily risen up draft boards over the past year. After posting 35 points in 68 games during the WHL regular season — along with a team-leading 94 penalty minutes — he cemented himself as one of the most intriguing physical defensemen in the class.
Known for his leadership, Bear wore an ‘A’ for Kamloops and was frequently matched up against opposing top lines. His blend of physicality, calm puck retrievals, and first-pass precision made him a standout during league play and the CHL Top Prospects Game earlier this season.
“He’s a warrior,” said Red Wings director of amateur scouting Kris Draper. “He plays the game the right way, and he brings a ton of character into the room. We loved his interviews and how he thinks the game. Carter Bear is going to be a fan favorite in Detroit.”
Filling a Critical Need
Detroit’s defensive corps, while anchored by young talents like Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson, has lacked depth on the right side and a certain bite in the bottom-four rotation. The addition of Bear, who shoots right and plays a physical style, addresses that gap and gives the Red Wings a long-term option who can eventually step into a third-pairing or even second-pairing role.
“He’s not flashy, but you always notice him,” said one Western Conference scout. “He punishes guys in the corners, clears the crease, and then makes the smart pass up ice. In the playoffs, those are the guys you need.”
Head coach Derek Lalonde is expected to monitor Bear closely through development camp and next season as the 18-year-old likely returns to Kamloops for one more WHL campaign. There, Bear will be tasked with anchoring the Blazers’ top pair and improving his foot speed — the one area scouts say still needs refinement for the NHL level.
Fans React With Roaring Approval
At Little Caesars Arena, where a public draft watch party was held Friday evening, fans erupted in cheers when Bear’s name was called. The crowd included dozens wearing Seider and Larkin jerseys, many of whom have been clamoring for a physical defenseman to complement the team’s skilled core.
“I’ve watched Carter play a few times in the WHL — the guy’s a beast,” said 26-year-old fan Marcus Lambert of Detroit. “He’s exactly the kind of player we need. Tough, disciplined, and hard to play against.”
Other fans echoed that sentiment online, with comments like “Stevie Y strikes again,” referring to general manager Steve Yzerman’s strong draft record, and “This kid’s going to crush it in the Winged Wheel.”
Some fans even drew parallels between Bear and former Red Wings hard-nosed defenders like Niklas Kronwall and Vladimir Konstantinov, though experts cautioned against setting expectations too high early on.
“He’s still got work to do, but the raw tools are there,” said TSN’s Bob McKenzie. “He’s one of those guys you hate playing against but love having on your team.”
Bear: “I’m Honored to Join This Franchise”
Speaking with reporters shortly after being drafted, Bear beamed with pride.
“This is the moment you dream about as a kid,” he said. “I grew up watching the Red Wings — Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Zetterberg. To be part of this organization is something I’ll never forget.”
When asked about what he brings to the team, Bear didn’t mince words.
“I’m going to give everything I have — block shots, hit hard, move the puck. I want to be a guy the team can rely on when it matters. Detroit’s fans are legendary, and I want to earn their respect.”
Bear also noted that he had a “great meeting” with the Red Wings during the scouting combine and had a feeling they might be interested.
“It felt like a fit right away. They asked good questions and seemed to really understand how I play the game.”
What’s Next?
With Bear now officially part of the Red Wings’ system, he’ll report to development camp in July, where coaches will get a firsthand look at his skating, defensive reads, and puck-handling under pressure. From there, the Red Wings are expected to assign him back to Kamloops for further development, with a strong chance of Bear being invited to represent Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championships.
While he’s likely at least one to two years away from cracking the NHL roster, Detroit’s development system — one of the league’s most respected — will play a crucial role in shaping Bear into a reliable, hard-nosed NHL defenseman.
“This pick makes our blue line that much deeper,” said Yzerman. “We believe in his potential, and now it’s about giving him the time and tools to get there.”
A Gritty Addition for a Team on the Rise
The Red Wings, coming off a season that saw them narrowly miss the playoffs, are continuing to shape their roster around a blend of youthful energy and physical edge. The addition of Carter Bear reinforces that vision — a defenseman who can grow alongside Detroit’s emerging core and bring grit to the team’s evolving identity.
As Friday night’s draft concluded, it was clear that the Hockeytown faithful had a new name to cheer for — and Carter Bear is already embracing the city and its expectations.
“I can’t wait to get started,” he said with a grin. “Let’s go Red Wings.”
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