NY Islanders defenseman Ethan Bear spends day with youth at Penticton Indian Band

For many New York Islanders fans, Ethan Bear is still a fresh face come September. But long before he’s even laced them up for his first training camp on Long Island, the 28-year-old defenseman has been making an impact far beyond the rink.

This summer, Bear spent a day with the Penticton Indian Band in British Columbia, one of the seven communities of the Okanagan Nation, and the largest Indian Reserve in BC, sharing his story and his passion for the game with local youth. Born in Saskatchewan and raised in the Ochapowace Nation, Bear has always embraced his Indigenous heritage, even famously wearing his name in Cree syllabics on the back of his Edmonton Oilers jersey in 2020.

In Penticton, his message to kids was simple but powerful: believe in yourself. Bear spoke about the challenges he faced growing up, the importance of hard work, and how leaning on others for help along the way can make dreams possible. After his remarks, he picked up a stick and spent two hours playing ball hockey, signing autographs, and creating memories with kids who saw a role model right in front of them. “It’s about that first introduction to the game,” Bear said. “It creates memories and bonds, and it’s awesome that they got to experience that today.”

For the Islanders, signing Bear this offseason was about adding defensive depth. GM Mathieu Darche signed Bear to a one-year, two-way deal worth $775K after a strong AHL season with Hershey, where he posted 46 points in 62 games. He should not be much more than an insurance option for the Isles, but for the community, he brings something more: representation, leadership, and a reminder that hockey belongs to everyone.