Ethan Bear Signs With Edmonton Oilers
Defenseman selected by Oilers in fifth round of 2015 NHL Draft
KENT, July 2, 2016 — Seattle Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell today announced defenseman Ethan Bear has signed a three-year entry level contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
Bear was selected by the Oilers in the fifth round, 124th overall, in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Bear was fifth in the WHL in scoring among defensemen last season with 19 goals and 46 assists for 65 points in 69 games. Bear was named a Western Conference First Team All-Star. He had eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points to lead WHL defensemen in scoring in the playoffs.
In three seasons with the T-Birds Bear has played 197 games and has 38 goals and 84 assists for 122 points.
Bear is the fourth T-Bird from last season’s team that has signed a NHL contract. Center Mathew Barzal signed with the New York Islanders on September 9, 2015. Right wing Keegan Kolesar signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 20, 2015. Left wing Ryan Gropp signed with the New York Rangers on December 31, 2015. All four players were selected in the 2015 NHL Draft.
The T-Birds start the 2016-17 Western Hockey League regular season on the road against the Portland Winterhawks on Saturday, September 24, at 7pm at the Moda Center.
The T-Birds home opener is Saturday, October 1, at 7:05pm against the Winterhawks at ShoWare Center.
T-Birds single game tickets for the 2016-17 regular season will go on sale Wednesday, August 31, at 10am online on the T-Birds website and at the ShoWare Center box office.
T-Birds 2016-17 season tickets are currently on sale. Season tickets can be purchased by calling the T-Birds office at 253-239-7825.
