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2019 Edmonton Oilers prospects

#9 Ethan Bear

Previously: #4 in 2018 , #5 in 2017 , #13 in 2016 , #17 in 2015

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After a few years of relentlessly climbing our Cult of Hockeysummer prospect rankings, Ethan Bearseemingly took a step back in 2018-19. Perhaps it is better described as a step sideways. But in the suddenly crowded world of Edmonton Oilers prospects, he’s suddenly looking up at a whole lot of beefcake.

It’s not just that the pride of Ochapowace First Nation dropped a few spots to a still-respectable #9 in our organizational rankings, it’s that no fewer than six of the eight guys ahead of him also play defence! It’s a position that has been and remains a sore spot for the big league club, but the cavalry is coming, some of them sooner than later. Will Bear be part of the charge?

His past history is one of improving year over year in each level of the game. He accomplished half of that worthy objective last season with some significant steps in the AHL, but other than a European road trip with the big club to open the season (0 GP), he never got a second look in the NHL after an extended 18-game cameo after the deadline in 2017-18. Instead, that opportunity went to Caleb Jones, his exact contemporary who was picked just 7 spots ahead of Bear in 2015, with the two playing organizational tag ever since.