BEAR ON THE OUTSIDE?
By Lowetide
7 years agoEthan Bear had a fine draft+1 season, and Oilers fans are looking forward to his signing at some point this offseason. A mild surprise hit yesterday, as Bear is not on the invite list for Canada’s World Junior Development roster?
WHY?
Having watched these development camp lists roll out each year (and the cuts, which are damned painful) it has to be tough on those making the decisions on where to send the invites. I do not agree with the selection, and if forced, could name a couple of prospects below who should have been left off the list in favor of the Oilers prospect. I am not going to do it, because these are kids. Rather, the aim of this post is not to point fingers, but to ask why Ethan Bear did not get an invite and see if there is a reason. Here are the right-handed defensmen who made the list:
- RD
Dante Fabbro, Penticton (BCJHL): Impressive two-way D.
Great passer. Draft eligible. - RD Cal Foote, Kelowna (WHL): A young giant, 6.04 and 200 and he is not eligible for the draft until 2017. A shutdown type.
- RD Connor Hobbs, Regina (WHL). Puck-moving defender, good passer. Washington pick in 2015, chosen in the same round as Bear. He also posted a strong draft+1 season. Might be a better skater than Bear.
- RD Noah Juulsen, Everett Silvertips (WHL). Two-way defender did not spike offensively last year, highly regarded in his draft season. First-round pick by Montreal, 2015.
- RD Jeremy Roy, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL). An early second-round pick by San Jose in 2015, he has a complete skill set. Roy did not shoot lights out in draft+1 season, but he remains a quality prospect.
- RD Matt Spencer, Peterborough Petes (OHL). Big, strong defender can play a two-way game and plays a physical style. Tampa Bay took him in the second round.
- Roster is here.
WHY NOT BEAR?
Ethan Bear ripped it up last season and would have been a solid addition to the team—helpful at even strength and on the power play. It probably comes down to mobility. In a recent article at edmontonoilers.com by Chris Wescott, the skating issue was addressed:
- Skating is one thing the Oilers are expecting Bear to work on, and the
prospect has already begun putting time in with the organization’s
skating coach — David Pelletier — this off-season. It’s not so much
speed going forward and backward with Bear as it is pivoting, turning,
transitioning and accelerating through those moves. - Source
As a fan, I am not pleased Bear did not make the roster. I am encouraged by his dedication and hopeful he uses this news as fuel to force the issue before main WJ camp. I think he is good enough to make it happen and I do not think the evidence here (mobility) should have been enough of a concern to keep him away from the roster.
THE DRAFT PARTY
There are few certainties in life – we can always count on the sun coming up in the morning, Edmonton winters being dreadful, and the Oilers missing the playoffs. As such, we present the annual OilersNation Draft Party! It’s time to honour the the anniversary of drafting our beloved Connor, celebrate the rewards of another failed season, and raise some money for charity.
Here’s what you need to know…
The party is happening at the Pint Downtown on Friday, June 24th. The goal is to raise as much money as possible for the Red Cross and their efforts to bring normalcy back to Fort McMurray, and have a little bit of fun while we’re at it. For $30 you get a Draft Party t-shirt, a $20 Pint GC, a $10 Oodle Noodle GC, a draft party collectors cup, and a chance for prizes and eternal glory.
All proceeds from tickets sold will be donated directly to the Red Cross so bring your friends, get involved, and help us support a community in need. Tickets are still available here.
One day, the Oilers will be a good hockey team and we’ll all be able to laugh about this. Until then, we party.
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