Team: Seattle Kraken
reginapats.com

Fantasy Summary

A great skating, puck-moving defenseman who plays with an edge. A good multi-cat candidate who still flies under the radar in most circles.


Observations

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September 2024- As with many Kraken prospects in 2023-2024, Ryker Evans took a step forward. His production in the AHL stepped back from the prior season, but he took on more responsibility, and he saw 36 NHL games. He is likely to be in the NHL for good at this point, barring a poor camp. He saw 19 minutes a night with the big club, and though his offense didn’t leap off the page (1-8-9 in 36 games), his 82 game line would have been 20 points, 46 PIMS, 100 SOG, 141 hits and 87 blocks. Thats a fabulous multi-cat line performance from a rookie, and one that’s only due to grow as he gains confidence and earns more deployment. He say just over a third of the available powerplay minutes, and though he likely stacks up as more of an all situations defender in comparison to some of the more PPQB style rearguards in the Kraken pipeline, it’s very possible to see Evans develop into a solid top four defender who sees some time on the main advantage. Alex Wyatt
June 2023 – What a wonderful transition to the professional ranks for Ryker Evans. After proving all he needed to prove at the junior level, Evans joined the Coachella Valley Firebirds for their, and his, inaugural AHL season. His six goals and 44 assists in 71 games were good for 13th overall in scoring for blueliners. When accounting for age, he was the second-best U22 defenseman and 16th in scoring overall. Not bad for a rookie. He had 74 PIM, maintaining the sandpaper that was part of his game in junior, and reached another offensive level in the playoffs. As the Firebirds took their post-season to a Game Seven final, Evans scored five goals and added 21 assists in 21 games, the top defenseman in scoring and third in post season scoring all together. Run, don’t walk, to acquire Evans for your farm teams before he becomes more of a household name. He should sniff some NHL action this upcoming season, even if he spends the majority in the AHL developing. Alex Wyatt
November 2022 – Evans is now patrolling the blue line for the newly minted Coachella Valley Firebirds after culminating a strong WHL career finishing seventh in points by defencemen last year. He is currently sitting with a goal and seven assists in 14 AHL games, and is a capable passer who can also provide some PIMS. He is worth a stash now, as Seattle is rife with opportunity, though he may be a season or two away from regular NHL shifts. Alex Wyatt
February 2022- Evans is currently tied with Olen Zellweger for the WHL lead in points by a defenseman with 41 points in 38 games. He has 33 assists, showing an ability to distribute the puck, as well as 59 PIM, which may benefit the leagues with that category, or cause issues as he progresses along his development if he is undisciplined. As fantasy managers however, that is an enticing pairing of category coverage. With many changes likely to occur between the midway mark of this season, and the start of next, one would be wise to watch Evans. He likely won’t see time with the big club next year, but will continue his development with plenty of opportunity availed to him as there are very few defensement in the Kraken pipeline that would slot in ahead of a playstyle has he is showing us in the WHL. Alex Wyatt

October 2021 – Evans was returned to the Regina Pats after an impressive camp with the Kraken. He was an assist machine in the WHL last year, with 25 in just 24 games, with only three goals. If you have room in your pipeline for a pass-first defender, you’d be wise to stash Evans, who has also put up over a PIM per game throughout his entire WHL career. As the Kraken seem to be interested in drafting and holding their players, having made zero ‘side deals’ in the draft, keep an eye on Evans’ development, as he may be patrolling the Kraken blue-line in due time. Evans is a patient, playmaking defenseman who likes to carry the puck and distribute to his teammates – evidenced by his point totals always being 3:1 assists to goals (or more) for his entire amateur and junior career. As we salivate over where Connor Bedard will be drafted in the upcoming entry draft, it would behoove us to remember Ryker Evans equaled Bedard’s point totals (albeit in nine more games) for the Pats last season. Alex Wyatt

July 2021 – Evans was selected in the second round, 35th overall by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Draft. Nick Richard

 

 

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 7.5
NHL Certainty 8.0
Country CAN
Position D
Roster Type Minors
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth December 13, 2001
Height 5‘11”
Weight 181 lbs
Drafted 2021 Round 2; Overall: 35

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2014-2015 CRAA Blue U15 AAHCAA U1530 4 1216 6|        
  Calgary Royals U15 AAAAEHL U152 0 33 0|        
 2015-2016 Calgary Royals U15 AAAAEHL U1536 3 1619 28|Playoffs2 1 01 2 
  Team Calgary South Alberta Cup5 0 11 6|        
  CRAA Blue U16 AAAAEHL U175 0 44 6|Playoffs1 1 23 2 
 2016-2017 CRAA Blue U16 AAAAEHL U1736 4 2327 68|Playoffs4 0 55 4 
 2017-2018 Notre Dame Hounds U18 AAASMAAAHL41 4 1620 58|Playoffs9 1 01 14 
  Notre Dame Hounds U18 AAATCQ-W4 1 34 2|        
  Notre Dame Hounds U18 AAATelus Cup7 0 33 10|        
 2018-2019 Regina PatsWHL45 1 1011 32|        
 2019-2020 Regina PatsWHL63 7 2431 81|        
 2020-2021 Regina PatsWHL24 3 2528 37|        
 2021-2022 Regina PatsWHL63 14 4761 96|        
 2022-2023 Coachella Valley FirebirdsAHL71 6 3844 74|Playoffs26 5 2126 26 
 2023-2024 Seattle KrakenNHL36 1 89 20|        
  Coachella Valley FirebirdsAHL25 2 1315 28|Playoffs18 4 610 30 
 2024-2025 Seattle KrakenNHL7 2 35 4|        

Highlights