Waywayseecappo Wolverines’ first round pick at Saturday’s MJHL Draft has been making some big strides since the start of last season.
Carter Bear, the Winnipeg product, played in his first Manitoba Under-18 Hockey League season and was a point-per-game player, picking up 42 points (25 goals, 17 assists) in 39 games with the Winnipeg Thrashers.
“I got off to a slow start last year, just getting used to playing with older kids,” said Bear. “But I really took off in the second half of the season.”
The 15-year-old had five goals and 11 points in his first 14 games. But a hat trick on December 1st against the Kenora Thistles, started the second half tear for Carter, which included 10 goals in 7 games before the Christmas break.
Bear finished the season 4th in points on the Thrashers, and tied for 2nd in goals.
“I started the season as a fourth line centre, but moved up throughout the year by working hard, and finished the season as a first line centre.”
Carter said he was expecting to get a call on Saturday early on, saying many teams were looking at him for a high pick.
“I was watching the draft with a friend of mine, who went later on in the draft,” said Bear.
Bear wasn’t the only Thrasher picked up by the Wolverines on Saturday. Bear’s teammate, left winger Dayton Desjarlais went in the fourth round.