The NHL has announced that Washington Capitals defenseman Ethan Bear will be out indefinitely while receiving care from the NHL Player Assistance Program (Twitter link). He’s scored four points in 24 games since making his season debut in late December.
Bear’s season kicked off late, with a shoulder injury suffered during the 2023 IIHF World Championship lingering through the first half of the year. He became a free agent after his surgery – after the Vancouver Canucks went chose not to extend a qualifying offer – and he held off negotiations on a new deal until December. There were reportedly plenty of teams in the mix on Bear, including Vancouver. But he ultimately decided on Washington, moving to his fourth team in the last three years with a two-year, $4.125MM contract. He made his season debut on December 31st and scored his first goal (and so far, his only goal) of the year nine games later.
This year is Bear’s fifth season in a full-time NHL role, following his rookie season in 2019-20 when he scored 21 points in 71 games. That has stood as his career-high in scoring, though he came within a few points when he scored 16 in 61 games last year. Bear has established himself as a solid bottom-four option at the NHL level, averaging 18-and-a-half minutes of ice time through 275 career games. Alexander Alexeyev has gained a bigger role in his absence, recording one goal and three points through 28 games this season.
From a human standpoint, I hope the players’ assistance program helps him with whatever his issue may be.
From a Caps’ fan standpoint, I was confused why they were picking him up and seemed to be very excited about doing so. I’ve probably seen him play 10 games. He hasn’t done any noteworthy things (I didn’t see the game he scored). He isn’t an offensive defenseman, he isn’t a defensive defenseman, he’s not a big physical defenseman who can plow the crease, and he wasn’t the guy that was needed to bring out the best in a D partner. In some broadcasts they barely say his name. So I am still confused why they were hankering to add him. Am I missing something?
You don’t know the dude’s story. His play might replace a bad period of his life, and that is gonna affect your work. Let him heal, see how he does after.
He’s a good player. Bottom pairing but has some scoring instincts. Canucks would have liked him but the deal Washington offered was much better than what most teams were willing to give an injured player on a UFA
Hope he gets the help he needs to keep his career going.
Praying for you Big E. Keep fighting
Don’t worry about getting the call, It’s being prepared and knowing what to do when you get the call.
Hope he can overcome his problems. Sportsnet did program. He is a good person , Even if some Pathetic Oiler fans feel different because he is indigenous. He showed at world championship He can play If used correctly.
Hope he gets well . Caps have had an unreal season considering the chet that’s been hitting the team. Everyday there’s a new item for them to overcome , I really can’t name 1/2 the players and they are doing an incredible job. There almost as banged up as the White House staff.
I’m usually anti caps but this year it’s hard to root against them
From one Bear to another, get well soon!
How soon before (if it hasn’t happened already) a player “takes advantage” of the Program bc he’s upset about ice time or a coach or something else that the Program wasn’t intended for? I’m not ok with that.
Seeing as the Player Assistance Program is a joint effort between the league and the players’ union, I doubt this would be allowed to happen. I imagine the program has some sort of vetting process where they determine what sort of assistance each entrant needs.
That’s true. Though I can see having a mental health issue can become vague.