Ethan Bear's summertime message to dozens of local youth was simple: believe in yourself.

Bear, the now New York Islanders defenceman who in 2020 honoured his Indigenous heritage by having his last name written in Cree syllabics on the back of his Edmonton Oilers jersey, visited the Penticton Indian Band (PIB) on Aug. 15.

The 28-year-old, who's also suited up for Carolina, Vancouver, and Washington in his six-year NHL career, delivered remarks to the community before playing ball hockey with the kids and signing autographs.

"It shows the community members that something as fun as this is easy to set up, and kids can come play as much as they want," Bear said. "That's something I had growing up."

Bear was born in Saskatchewan, raised in the Ochapowace Nation east of Regina, but spends h

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