MAJOR | Update on Ethan Bear's injury: The rumors are confirmed

According to Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK TV, Vancouver Canucks defenceman Ethan Bear may need to have surgery during the off-season to fix a shoulder injury he sustained during the 2023 IIHF World Hockey Championship.

Bear, 25, suffered the injury in the dying seconds of Canada's quarter-final win over the hosts, Finland. Bear was seen skating off the ice at the end of the game holding his shoulder.

He went on to miss Canada's semi-final clash with Latvia and the Gold Medal Game against Germany, but was on the ice at the end of the game to get his medal and celebrate the win with his teammates. Bear finished the tournament with no points and four penalty minutes in eight games.

If Bear does undergo surgery and is required to miss a few months, there's a good chance that he won't be ready to go for the start of the 2023-24 season, which would be extremely tough. It would also create an interesting battle on the back-end during training camp for Bear's spot on the opening night roster.

There is also a route to playing and not having surgery.— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 9, 2023