Hurricanes ink Bear to 1-year, $2.2M contract

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenseman Ethan Bear to a one-year contract worth $2.2 million, the team announced Thursday.

Bear entered the summer as a restricted free agent. The Hurricanes reportedly gave the 25-year-old permission to speak to other teams as they negotiated a deal but a move never materialized.

Carolina acquired Bear from the Edmonton Oilers last offseason. He logged 14 points in 58 appearances while averaging 16 minutes per contest in his debut campaign with the Hurricanes.

"Adjusting to a new team and system can be challenging for a young defenseman," general manager Don Waddell said. "We are confident Ethan will be able to take another step in his development this season."

The Hurricanes have made a pair of big-ticket moves this offseason to build upon winning the Metropolitan Division in 2021-22, adding sniper Max Pacioretty from the Vegas Golden Knights and former Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns from the San Jose Sharks in separate trades.