Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League announced today that Seattle Thunderbirds defenceman Ethan Bear has been named the WHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 19, 2017.

Bear registered 10 points (4G-6A) in five games to help the Thunderbirds go 3-2-0-0 this past week.

On Monday, February 13, Bear collected a goal and two primary assists in a 6-3 loss at Kelowna and was named third star. On Tuesday, February 14, Bear notched one assist in a 4-1 win versus Red Deer and followed up on Friday, February 17, with a power-play goal in a 4-2 loss at Tri-City. Saturday, February 18, Bear exploded with a four-point performance (2G-2A) in a 5-3 win versus Portland and was named first star for his efforts. He then wrapped up his weekend with one assist on Sunday, February 19, in a 5-4 shootout win at Portland.

A 19-year-old product of Ochapowace, SK, Bear sits second among all WHL defencemen and third among all Thunderbirds with 62 points (25G-37A) in 58 games.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound defenceman was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round (124th) of the 2015 NHL Draft. In July 2016, Bear signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Oilers.

Originally taken by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the second round (25th) of the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft, Bear has amassed 184 points (63G-121A) in 255 career WHL regular season games.

This is the second consecutive week a Thunderbird has earned WHL Player of the Week honours. Mathew Barzal was previously named WHL Player of the Week for the week ending February 12, 2017.

WHL Player of the Week

Sept. 23 – Sept. 25: Chad Butcher, Medicine Hat Tigers

Sept. 26 – Oct. 2: Sam Steel, Regina Pats

Oct. 3 – Oct. 9: Cody Glass, Portland Winterhawks

Oct. 10 – Oct. 16: Tyler Benson, Vancouver Giants

Oct. 17 – Oct. 23: Kale Clague, Brandon Wheat Kings

Oct. 24 – Oct. 30: Kailer Yamamoto, Spokane Chiefs

Oct. 31 – Nov. 6: Connor Hobbs, Regina Pats

Nov. 7 – Nov. 13: Adam Brooks, Regina Pats

Nov. 14 – Nov. 20: Alexander True, Seattle Thunderbirds

Nov. 21 – Nov. 27: Jayden Halbgewachs, Moose Jaw Warriors

Nov. 28 – Dec. 4: Sergey Zborovskiy, Regina Pats

Dec. 5 – Dec. 11: Calvin Thurkauf, Kelowna Rockets

Dec. 12 – Dec. 18: Deven Sideroff, Kamloops Blazers

Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Adam Brooks, Regina Pats

Jan. 2 – Jan. 8: Brayden Burke, Moose Jaw Warriors

Jan. 9 – Jan. 15: Tyler Wong, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Jan. 16 – Jan. 22: Tyler Soy, Victoria Royals

Jan. 23 – Jan. 29: Jake Bean, Calgary Hitmen

Jan. 30 – Feb. 5: Kole Lind, Kelowna Rockets

Feb. 6 – Feb. 12: Mathew Barzal, Seattle Thunderbirds

Feb. 13 – Feb. 19: Ethan Bear, Seattle Thunderbirds