Ethan Bear opens up about his road back to the Capitals
Photo credit: The Hockey News
The road back to the Capitals wasn't an easy one for Ethan Bear, but it was exactly what he needed.
Washington Capitals fenseman Ethan Bear opens up about his battle with depression and anxiety.
Sammi Silber from The Hockey News writes that after spending a year in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, Bear has found new energy, feels like his old self again, and is now back with the team for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and for him, it's as if he never left.
Late last season, Bear felt like a shadow of himself. After signing a midseason, two-year deal with Washington, he struggled to carve out a regular role. On the ice, inconsistency plagued his play. Off it, he was quietly battling a more personal struggle: undiagnosed depression and anxiety that left him mentally and emotionally drained.
"Last year was very hard for me mentally, physically... I've never been through something like that before. I noticed myself not being able to go to bed at night, not being able to wake up in the morning... it was hard for me. It felt like everything was just very challenging to do." -Bear
There's nothing like playoff hockey, the intensity, the atmosphere, the meaning behind every shift. For 27-year-old Ethan Bear, getting to experience it again now feels especially rewarding.
Recognizing he couldn't continue on the way he was, Bear entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in late March.
The decision proved life-changing. When he returned, he felt like a new person, lighter, more focused, and finally at peace. Heading into training camp, Bear wasn't thinking about proving anyone wrong or climbing back into the lineup. He was just happy to be playing hockey again.
"While Bear had a strong training camp, with a clearer mind and better attitude, there weren't many vacancies on the revamped Capitals blue line, and coach Spencer Carbery felt he could benefit from more playing time and sent him to the AHL." -Silber
Over 62 games, he tallied 10 goals and 36 assists for 46 points, while posting a stellar plus-33 rating. His dominant play didn't go unnoticed, he was named to the AHL All-Star Team and earned a well-deserved trip to the All-Star Game.
In April, Bear received the news he had been striving for all season. After a standout regular season performance, he was called up to the NHL as one of the Capitals' black aces, ready to contribute as Washington eyes a deep playoff push.
"It's so exciting to see the energy, the environment, the competitiveness and every game, that's what makes it a great, great experience." -Bear
For now, Bear's goal is to stay prepared for whenever his chance to play arises with the Capitals. Hopefully, it'll be very soon!
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