Canucks defenceman Ethan Bear out six months after shoulder surgery

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Ethan Bear will be out for six months after having shoulder surgery.

Bear suffered the injury while playing for Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship.

Bear registered three goals and 16 points while averaging 18:32 in ice time through 61 games last season. Vancouver acquired the 25-year-old from the Carolina Hurricanes back on Oct. 29.

The Regina native is a pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights after playing on a one-year, $2.2 million deal.