And defensively he’s had a positive influence, with the lowest shot-attempts-against rate of any regular Canucks defenceman.“I’m a guy who’s really simple and likes to be more defensive,” Bear told Postmedia earlier this week.It’s that kind of mentality that now has him being paired with Quinn Hughes.Article content
On Wednesday, though, Bear was with Hughes, a pairing that raises the stakes on Bear’s game. Hughes plays the game fast. He wants the puck on his stick.“Most defencemen want to get rid of the puck pretty quick. And he likes to find a nice way and kind of get creative and it’s fun to watch. He’s definitely unique,” Bear said ahead of the game in Calgary.Article content
Defenceman Ethan Bear was obtained by the Canucks in an Oct. 28 trade with the Carolina Hurricanes, a deal that cost them a fifth-round draft pick in 2023.When the Canucks added Bear to the lineup in that October deal — he came from Carolina along with current Abbotsford Canuck leading goal scorer Lane Pederson in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick next summer — head coach Bruce Boudreau was clearly excited.