The Edmonton Oilers have traded defenceman Ethan Bear to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for left winger Warren Foegele.
Foegele, 25, had 10 goals and 20 points in 53 games for the Hurricanes last season. In his career, he has 68 points in 200 games. The Hurricanes drafted him 67th overall in 2014.
“I think I’m just a tenacious, 200-foot player. I try to use my speed to take pucks to the net, draw penalties. I like to play a hard-nosed game and be reliable in the defensive zone as well,” said Foegele.
Bear, 24, was drafted 124th overall by the Oilers in 2015. He became a full-time NHLer in 2019/20 and posted five goals and 21 points in 71 games. In 2021, he had two goals and eight points in 43 games.
Indigenous community reacts to trade
Bear made a surprise appearance at an Indigenous golf tournament Wednesday, just hours after the trade was announced. He told nearly 600 participants he was excited for the new opportunity.
“To me, he represents some of the best that we as Cree people have to offer,” Tyler Flormann said. “He represents to youth what is potentially possible. He’s lighting the path to an amazing future for us.
“But my heart is a little broken.”
Theresa and Kevin Scanie had their Ethan Bear jerseys in the car, after hearing rumours he may be making an appearance at the tournament.
“It’s bittersweet,” Kevin Scanie said. “And I didn’t think I’d ever get close to Ethan Bear. I was standing beside him.”
Pride for Bear is particularly strong in the youngest members of the Indigenous community. Bear runs a hockey school in Ochapowace Cree Nation — located 175 kilometres east of Regina.
“There’s a lot of pride for First Nations people, Treaty 6, knowing he’s from here,” Theresa Scanie said.
“No matter where he goes — fans will always love him and Cree country will always love him,” Flormann said.
– With files from Morgan Black, Global News