KRAKEN SIGN PATS DEFENCEMAN RYKER EVANS

Regina, Sask. — The Seattle Kraken announced Friday that they have agreed to terms with 20-year-old Regina Pats defenceman Ryker Evans on a three-year entry-level contract.  

Evans was drafted by the Kraken in the second round (35th overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The Calgary, Alta. native registered a career high 14 goals, 47 assists and 61 points in 63 games this season, ranking fifth among WHL defencemen in power play assists (24), seventh in points and eighth in assists.  

“My goal has always been to play in the NHL,” Evans said. “It [has been] imprinted into my mind for the longest time. There was no way anyone was going to talk me out of it.”  

The 6-foot, 191 lb. defenceman took home his third straight Charles Johnston Memorial Trophy for the Pats Top Defenceman this season, and was also named the WHL Player of the Week and to the CHL Team of the Week on November 1, 2021. The Pats overager leaves the organization as one of the top Pats’ defencemen this century, and now ranks 13th in franchise history in assists amongst defencemen (106) and 19th in points (131).  

Evans will join the Kraken’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, for the AHL’s Calder Cup Playoffs.  

“It will be really fun to practice with the team and hopefully to get some game action,” Evans added. “The AHL is obviously faster and everybody knows their job. It’s simpler in that teammates are in the right place at the right time.”  

The Pats would like to congratulate Ryker on signing with the Kraken and wish him all the best as he begins his professional hockey career.  

(Regina Pats PR/Photo: Keith Hershmiller Photography)