Ethan Bear joined the NY Islanders for another crack at the NHL

Trading Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens this summer, the NY Islanders needed to fill an offensive hole along the blue line that the move created. Thin on the right side, Mathieu Darche decided to take a low-risk, high-reward flyer on Ethan Bear, signing him to a one-year, two-way contract.

Bear, 28, hasn't played in the NHL since the 2023-24 season, spending last season with the Hershey Bears of the AHL.

Now the Regina, SK, native is hoping a move to the Islanders organization can lead him back to a role in the NHL.

Bear wants to prove he can play

"At the end of the day, I want to get back to playing in the NHL," Bear said. "Hopefully, if I stay positive, (and) play well, I can get a chance to play. That's just all I'm working for."

Playing 62 games in Hershey last season, Bear finished the season with 46 points (10 G, 36 A) - eighth most among all AHL defensemen. He hopes to prove that his game can transition to the next level, and the first opportunity to prove that begins with training camp.

"Honestly, I want to show I can play," says Bear. "I'm a two-way player. I can defend as well as bring offense. That's what I want to show. I want to play well. I'm very confident in myself right now. I feel like I'm in great shape. When it comes down to it, (and I) get into a couple of preseason games, it's all about how you play. If you play well, you give yourself a chance."

Bear may be a long shot to make the Islanders out of camp, but a strong performance in Bridgeport could see him once again getting his opportunity in the NHL.