A year ago, still healing from an Achilles injury, Detroit Red Wings 2025 first-round pick Carter Bear was left a spectator on the sidelines during the club’s NHL rookie games against the Dallas Stars.

Saturday, in Detroit’s NHL rookie tournament opener against the Dallas Stars, Bear was a man on a mission. He fired a game-high 10 shots on goal during a 4-3 shootout win by the Red Wings.

Bear was dangerous on almost every shift, displaying a shooter’s nose for the net.

Go Ad-Free

“He goes to the net,” Grand Rapids Griffins coach Dan Watson said. “He has no problem going to the hard areas, whether it’s digging along the wall, in the corners, or around the net front.”

This will be Bear’s first season in pro hockey, likely playing for Watson and the Griffins. He knows it’s going to be a quantum leap stepping up from junior.

Bear is doing his utmost to be prepared for his new reality.

“I think obviously it’s pro now,” Bear said. “That’s a whole new level of hockey.

Way different than junior.

“It’s faster, so you gotta be smarter and stronger.”

Bear Willing to Work With Red Wings

One thing about Bear is that he’s a good listener. Another positive quality is that he is also asking lots of questions.

“I talk to [Red Wings development director] Dan Cleary a lot,” Bear said. “What they want me to work on, for sure.”

Author of 76 goals over the past two seasons with the WHL Everett Silvertips, the Red Wings ar counting on Bear to bring that offensive game to the NHL while operating as a power forward.

“I just need to work on the game that Detroit wants me to work on,” Bear said. “Focus on that and trust Detroit, whatever their best development is for me.

Just trusting with that. And I think it’ll all work out.”

The six-foot, 186-pound left-winger spent his summer striving to improve his skating stride. In the gym, the strategy was to build up his strength so he’s ready to battle against men.

Watson doesn’t think that will be an issue for Bear.

“A lot of times you’re going to be facing some physicality around the net,” Watson said. “He has no problem going there.

And I think you saw some of the speed, the skill he brings, but he’s also responsible.

“I think he’s going to be a really good player. He’s just again, learning the pro style of hockey.

But with him, it’s his willingness to do the hard things.”