Bear makes debut with Edmonton

Ethan Bear of Ochapowace First Nation made his NHL debut Thursday with the Edmonton Oilers.

The 20-year-old, formerly of the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, was on the Oilers’ third defence pairing. He was called up from the American Hockey League’s Bakersfield Condors after Edmonton defenceman Adam Larsson returned to Sweden for his father’s funeral.

“It was kind of a shock when Gerry (Fleming, Bakersfield’s coach) told me I was being called up,” Bear told Postmedia’s Jim Matheson after the Oilers’ 4-2 home loss to the Nashville Predators. “The guys were joking with me, saying, ‘Don’t be nervous, you’ve only waited 20 years for this.’”

Bear, one of the few Indigenous players in the NHL, had six goals and 10 assists in 34 AHL games before being promoted by the Oilers. Many family members from Saskatchewan were in Edmonton for the game.

“They’ve given me tremendous support. Feels good to get all that love,” Bear said. “It’s been a long journey, but I’ve got love from the First Nations community. Helps me feel good about myself.”

When Bear was six years old, he was at a hockey school run by Fred Sasakamoose, the first First Nations player to make it to the NHL.

“Biggest camp I’ve ever been to as a kid,” Bear said. “There was a mock draft and Fred picked me first. I don’t remember being that good. But it was a good memory.”

Bear had a minor penalty, a shot on goal and two blocked shots while playing 14 minutes 42 seconds on Thursday.

Jaydon Dureau of the Regina Pat Canadians has been named the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League’s most valuable player.

He had 74 points, including 32 goals, in 38 games and led the league in points per game (1.95).

Dureau also made the first all-star team, as did Pat Canadians defenceman Adam Herold. Dureau’s linemate Matthew Culling made the second all-star team.