Many Mock Drafts Chose Bear
Five out of eleven mock drafts picked Carter Bear, and they were right. For the second straight draft Yzerman’s pick was correctly. A hard working center with a deep passion for the game.
During the brief virtual meeting with Steve Yzerman, it became clear that Detroit had done their due diligence. Yzerman referred to an interview the team had done with Bear. The team seems impressed with the skillset as well as the character of the player.
An Emotional Moment for Bear
The draft process is a pivotal moment for these teenage players. After the brief proceedings, Bear was joined by his parents for an interview with Leah Hextall. It was clear that everything was still setting in.
The moment was not lost on Bear or his parents. Finding the words to describe it is an overwhelming task. Bear’s mother and father were incredibly proud as the young centerman was overcome with emotion.
The road to the draft is much longer than it seems. Early mornings as a young player. Finding a balance between school and constant work. Leaving home and traveling, sometimes all over the world. All of that flashes by when a player gets the call from the draft floor.
Bear was overcome, ultimately, and a clear statement was made. This player loves the game and is grateful for a huge opportunity. The kind of passion that was shown is at the core of the love of hockey.
The Long Road Ahead
Being drafted to the NHL is a unique invitation. All of the hard work that went into getting to the draft leads to this opportunity. It is the chance to work harder than you could ever imagine.
These young players will stand shoulder to shoulder with NHL veterans. Some will see themselves share the ice with childhood heroes. They will quickly find out how much more they will need to grow.
The upcoming development camps will assess where Carter Bear needs to focus his summer workouts. Strength training, nutrition and on ice assignments will be customized and created by Detroit training staff. The coaches will take note and give their input.
The upcoming fall may hold a new opportunity. The Collective Bargaining Agreement was weighing whether or not some of the 18 and 19 year old talent could play in the AHL. That change could see first round picks playing in the second best league in the world.
Whatever the path, Carter Bear has begun his journey with the Detroit Red Wings. It remains to be seen what his place will be with the organization. There is confidence, though, that this is a player who will give everything in trying to find out.
