Detroit City Wire

Forward prospect Carter Bear has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings. The club made the official announcement on Wednesday.

“It’s obviously a big moment for me and the start of my career with the Red Wings, but it’s also just a start,” Bear stated. “Just like how the NHL Draft was a start, this is another step to get to. This is a big moment for me and my family and I’m excited, for sure.”

The 18-year-old was selected by the Red Wings as the No. 13 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 27 at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater. He participated in his first Development Camp with Detroit at Little Caesars Arena from June 30 to July 3.

“Throughout this whole process, I’ve just been learning from everyone: the staff, management, the ex-pro guys who played for this team,” Bear mentioned. “I’m asking questions, so I think it’s really all about learning new things at this time.”

Bear faced an Achilles injury in March during his season with the Western Hockey League's Everett Silvertips. Despite this setback, he managed to score 82 points in 56 games and earned a place on the WHL’s Second All-Star Team.

Kris Draper, Red Wings Assistant Manager and Director of Amateur Scouting, commented on Bear after Day 1 of this year’s NHL Draft. “We appreciate the way he comes to the rink, the way he prepares and the way he comes out and plays,” Draper said on June 27. “We really like the way he thinks the game. We appreciate the compete and relentlessness on the puck. He also has the ability to make a lot of plays.”

Bear expressed his enthusiasm about learning more about Detroit since being drafted. “I’ve explored a lot of Downtown, but there’s more to explore for sure,” Bear shared. “Detroit style pizza is pretty good, and the culture here is unbelievable."