On September 26, New York Islanders defenseman Ethan Bear blocked a shot during the team’s second-to-last preseason game against the New Jersey Devils at UBS Arena. He left the ice due to an apparent upper-body injury and did not come back, and since then, there has been no update on his condition.
Bear, who signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 on July 1, was not expected to secure a spot on the Islanders’ main roster but was anticipated to add depth and leadership to the young Bridgeport Islanders’ defense. As an alternate captain for the Hershey Bears, an AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals, Bear tallied 46 points (10 goals, 36 assists) in 62 games last season.
He was placed on Season Opening Injured Reserve (SOIR), which means he doesn’t count against the Islanders’ 23-man active roster or the salary cap. With Alexander Romanov sidelined for the rest of the season, and the Islanders relying on veteran Adam Boqvist and rookies like Travis Mitchell and Marshall Warren, Bear could still play an important role later in the season.
Hockey News reported that Bear suffered a wrist injury blocking that shot. He is currently rehabbing in Bridgeport and is expected to return in a few weeks. Defenseman Isaiah George, who played 33 games last season for the Islanders, has been out with Bridgeport since November 14 and is anticipated to come back this weekend.
Fan Take: Ethan Bear’s recovery is crucial as it could bolster the Islanders’ defensive line, especially with key players sidelined. Hockey fans should watch closely, as his return might provide the boost the team needs and show the value of depth players stepping up in challenging times.
