3. Ethan Bear – Defence (124th overall, 2015)
Ethan Bear has proven to be one of Chiarelli’s best later round picks with the Edmonton Oilers. Following an impressive junior career that he capped off with a WHL championship with the Seattle Thunderbirds and earned the WHL Top Defenceman Award in 2016-17, Bear made his pro debut last season.
Bear had six goals and 18 points in 37 games as a rookie with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors in 2017-18, despite missing about a month of action with a concussion that slowed his progression. Bear was recalled to Edmonton in March when the playoffs were out of reach for the Oilers and picked up one goal and four points in 18 games.
He showed some good offensive instincts and an excellent one-timer from the point down the stretch run with the Oilers. His shot and ability to move the puck could make him a weapon on the power-play down the road. Defensively, he struggled mightily. So, he needs to improve significantly in his zone to make it to the highest level.
Nonetheless, I’m a big fan of this player, and I believe he has the tools to be successful with the Oilers. He might only ever be a third pairing defender with Adam Larsson and Bouchard playing ahead of him on the right side, and that’s alright. Contending teams have good players throughout the lineup. I predict Bear will arrive in the NHL in 2020-21.