Defenseman Ethan Bear was not in the predicted lineup for the Hershey Bears before the 2024-25 season. The blue liner was unexpectedly put on waivers at the end of training camp and joined the defending champions. It’s his first time in the AHL since 2018-19 as he looks to get back to the NHL. His presence has been a boost for the Bears as a leader on and off the ice. Bear’s success with the Bears was recognized as he represents the team in the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic. The event takes place this weekend in Coachella Valley.
A Bear-y Good Partnership
Perhaps the best-named player to ever don a Bears jersey, Ethan Bear has done well in Hershey. Bear last skated in the AHL during the 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs with the Bakersfield Condors. Since then, he’s played in the NHL with a few teams before finding his way to Washington on a contract in December of 2023. He skated in 24 games for the Capitals last season before entering the NHL Player Assistance Program in late March.
Bear returned to hockey in training camp this past fall. Ultimately, he was one of the last players placed on waivers to be sent to Hershey. Bears captain Dylan McIlrath made the cut as the team’s eighth defenseman, though he’s played sparingly this season. Although Bear is looking to get back to the NHL level, those are big skates to fill on a team known for success.
How has he fared? His offensive numbers are right on par with his previous AHL numbers. At the break with 41 games played, Bear has six goals and 21 assists for 27 total points. The mark is four shy of his AHL best with 11 fewer games under his belt. He’s been money of late, with three of his goals standing up as game-winners, more than any prior season. Bear’s point count ranks tied for eighth among all defensemen in the AHL.
Attitude of Gratitude
Where Bear has shined the most statistically is in his plus/minus stat. While it’s true that the stat is not perfect, it does show certain trends especially for defensemen. Bear has a most impressive plus-19 count heading into the break. The mark ranks fourth among all defensemen in the AHL, showing an impressive balance of offensive success and defensive responsibility. The stat is more impressive considering the next best count on the team is Aaron Ness’s plus-eight.
Bear has shown the tools that made him a coveted free agent signing upon his return to health a year ago. He excels at moving the puck and making savvy plays on and away from it. Bear has shown remarkable resilience, being on the wrong side of some tough plays over the course of the year. His secret? He’s happy to be back playing hockey.
“It just feels so good to play again,” Bear said early in the season. “I’m happy I’m down here, and I don’t have to be worried about being in and out of the lineup, not getting a groove going. With how I struggled last year, this is exactly what I needed. Just to kind of get my confidence going, feel a puck, play a lot of minutes. This is just exactly what I needed. And I’m happy to be here. It’s a fun group to be around.”
“Very excited for him,” Bears Vice President of Hockey Operations Bryan Helmer said. “Great for him, a guy who came down with a great attitude. He knew he has to get his game right to get back to the NHL, and he’s been positive. He’s been a great teammate, a great ‘bear’, pun intended. Hopefully we’ll go on another great run and he’ll be a big part of it.”
Bear in Mind
Bear’s success is one of several stories for the Bears. He was initially going to go to Coachella Valley with Ethen Frank to represent the team. Instead, Frank was called up to Washington in recognition of a strong season. In his place, Alex Limoges got the call to Acrisure Arena, a familiar place where the Bears have had a lot of memorable moments. The event features a skills competition on Sunday followed by a tournament-style game on Monday. Both events start at 9:00 PM EST.
Bear will be an essential part of Hershey’s group going forward. Hershey faces off with a lot of key Atlantic Division opponents after the break in a push for playoff positioning. Although it’s been an up-and-down season at times, Hershey is in a good place to finish strong. Their aspirations of a threepeat are very much alive and Bear will look to leave his mark on the storied team going forward.
