His hard work paid off.
Not only did Bauer return to the line-up on March 26, he also accomplished two more feats.
He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets in late May, and then shortly after, Bauer and the Thunderbirds eliminated the Blazers in seven games to reach the WHL Final.
"It's a very humbling feeling. With that also being said, you know the next chapter is about to begin and you have to earn it," said Bauer of the contract, adding he wasn't too involved on the negotiation side.
He and the Thunderbirds had a job to do, after all. And the fact the Game 7 win came in the Sandman Centre in Kamloops - the same rink he was injured in over five months earlier - well, that made it more special.
"There is a little added incentive there from my end," Bauer said. "From the team perspective, we battle, we battle hard, and we love each other in that room. To be able to come out with that win is something we'll remember or a while."
Bauer has four points in 19 playoff games so far, and finished the regular season with five goals and 10 points in 32 games.
The product of Cochrane, AB isn't known for points. What he is known for is leadership and a physical kind of game that he showed off at the 2021 pro mini-camp in Winnipeg.
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented Bauer from coming to Bell MTS Iceplex for development camp - a week-long gathering of all the prospects in the Jets' system for on-ice and off-ice activities, with the focus on getting acclimated with the organization.
Bauer showed off that physicality at mini-camp, and enjoyed every second that he was there.
"Getting to walk in there and get that first taste was very exciting and very nerve racking," said Bauer. "Teams pick you for a reason, you have a role within your game. If you understand that, you can work toward being the best version of yourself. I went into camp with the mindset of just doing what I do, and just enjoy doing it."
It's that exact game that has not only endeared him to Jets management - so much so they selected him in the 2020 draft, then signed him to his entry-level contract late last month - but also to the hockey fans in Seattle.
Bauer's return from injury came on the road on March 25 in Vancouver. The next night, back home at the ShoWare Center, the fans showed their appreciation for Bauer.
Every single one of his 179 WHL regular season games and 25 playoff games (so far) have been in a Thunderbirds jersey. This is his second year as captain.
So when his name was announced in the starting line-up on March 26 on home ice, the fans showed their appreciation with a thunderous ovation.
"There was a lot of emotion there," said Bauer. "Being able to come back and take the first strides again when essentially it wasn't really on the table at first, you had to earn was emotional. Being in front of those fans that have supported us for so many years and have been so loyal, it was a special feeling, and one I definitely won't forget."
So Bauer wants to reward them. The WHL Final begins June 3, with the best-of-seven beginning with two games in Edmonton before shifting to Seattle.
The excitement of his new contract is just another thing pushing him to be his best.
"That's what we dream of when we first step in. Everyone wants to make it to the National league and there is a stepping stone process to get there," said Bauer.
But before he can focus on that next step, he's zeroed in on the opportunity in front of him and his teammates right now.
"I'm focusing on winning the next game," he said. "From the team perspective, we battle, we battle hard, and we love each other in that room."
