Carter Bear's NHL dream is still alive: skates ahead of schedule despite injury

A setback cannot stop the determination of Carter Bear. This power forward, expected to be a top pick in the NHL Draft, is already in the limelight, even after missing the fitness testing portion of the NHL Scouting Combine.

Bear underwent surgery and an intensive recovery process after suffering a grave injury to the Achilles just before the WHL playoffs. Now, many months later, the kid is skating with a smile on a face that has exceeded expectations. As the training camps for the NHL near, Bear will soon commence full skating tread to his draft and keep it moving.

Carter Bear's commitment to the comeback shows strength beyond stats

In March, just weeks before the Western Hockey League (WHL) playoffs, Carter Bear suffered a partial tear in his right Achilles tendon.

Thinking the injury was pretty much going to end his season and perhaps his NHL Draft preparations, expectations formed. But Bear had other ideas. In spite of his injury, Bear's name has continued to appear prominently in scouting reports. Ranked tenth by NHL Central Scouting in their final list of North American skaters for the 2025 NHL Draft, Bear instituted himself as a big-time goalscorer with 40 goals in only 56 games for the Everett Silvertips.

However, it is his discipline since the injury that is garnering newfound respect.

Soon after the accident, he went under the knife, and within a matter of weeks, the patient was back to light skating. At present, he has done five skates and has begun weight-bearing training. Having one month ahead of the recovery schedule as per the physiotherapist augurs really well for all teams that were looking at him for NHL training camps.Stepping aside for fitness testing at the NHL Scouting Combine, Carter Bear's return to skating spells out resilience. He remains day-to-day, going by his feeling of recovery, but is confident of being fully fit by the first day of camp in September.The injury was an unfortunate one, occurring in the middle of an offensive-zone play when an opponent fell backward, clipping the back of Bear's leg. Although it had caused a temporary halt in his momentum, it certainly hasn't derailed his spirit.Also Read: Zach Werenski turns injury into inspiration with powerful Columbus comebackThe tale of Carter Bear from injury to healing paints more than just a picture of physical restoration—it depicts the mental toughness and will of a young athlete to come back even stronger. With September inching closer, NHL teams will be keeping an eye not just on his stats but also on his spirit. Not just healing, Bear is paving his path to the summit.