WHL Regina Pats

Evans to Go Down as One of Top Pats Defencemen in Recent Memory

Published on March 29, 2022 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Regina Pats News Release


Regina, Sask. - On July 24, 2021, Regina Pats defencemen Ryker Evans was woken up by a phone call.

It wasn't just anybody on the other end of the line: it was Ron Francis, the General Manager of the National Hockey League's newest franchise, the Seattle Kraken, telling him he had just been drafted.

"It was extremely exciting," Evans said. "I remember at the expansion draft talking about how cool it would be to go to Seattle. Days later we got picked, so it's been amazing. And to be one of the first to go to a great organization is such an honour."

The 6-foot, 191 lb. defenceman was the Kraken's second selection, at 35th overall, meaning Evans will go down in history as the first Western Hockey League player ever drafted by the Kraken, after they selected Matthew Beniers from the Michigan Wolverines in round one.

In the abbreviated 'bubble' season last spring, the Pats assistant captain was named a WHL East Division All-Star, ranking first amongst all WHL defencemen in assists and second in points (3G-25A-28PTS). He was also tied for first on the Pats in scoring with Connor Bedard, taking home three Pats' awards: Player of the Year, Defenceman of the Year and the Most Popular Player.

"We saw some really good defencemen in the bubble last year, with [Daemon] Hunt, [Carson] Lambos and Braden Schneider. Ryker was right there with them everyday, if not better," Pats Assistant Coach Brad Herauf said. "The improvement with him has been his leadership and just the way he's continued to get better. Whatever Ryker does, I'll always be proud. I've [been able] to be here from day one with him, and he's someone I hold very dearly. I'll be a fan of his forever."

After the incredibly strong showing that led to his high selection in the draft, Evans took part in his first ever NHL training camp last fall.

He also got to play in an NHL pre-season game against the Edmonton Oilers on September 28, 2021.

"Going to camp for the first time was exciting," Evans said. "Just seeing what it's like to be a pro [and] to get that experience is pretty cool. Being there with different pro guys like Mark Giordano, guys I grew up watching living in Calgary. Just learning off them was a great experience."

Giordano, the former captain of the Kraken, was in fact an idol of Evans when he was younger, who was the captain of the Flames from 2013-21.

"I was just watching what they do that makes them successful and hopefully translate that into my game," he said. "Just looking at the little things they do on and off the ice. How they take care of their body."

The fourth-year Pat has built off his breakout campaign with incredibly strong numbers this season. He has accumulated career highs in goals (13), assists (45) and points (58) and a plus eight plus-minus rating, which leads the Pats roster. Amongst all WHL defencemen, he is fifth in points, sixth in assists, and fifth in power play assists (24).

All of this for someone who was originally a 10th round selection by the Pats in the 2016 WHL Prospects Draft.

Regina got their first real look at Evans when he joined the Pats in Calgary for a morning skate during the 2016-17 season when he was 15. At the time, Evans was roughly 5-foot-4, 115 lb. and went on the ice with Herauf, where they put him through basic drills to see what they had in their prospect.

"We started doing some [defencemen] shooting stuff from the blue line and I remember him shooting the puck and and it was losing elevation. That's just where he was," Herauf recalled. "He's always been a real competitive kid and a really good thinker on the ice. He was just undersized. To see the amount of work he has put himself through has been truly amazing. I think his first big step was when he went to Notre Dame and that gave him a real big foundation of what it takes to be a hockey player. The physicality and the off-ice attention it takes to be a player."

Evans' transition from the Calgary Royals U16 AAA program to the Notre Dame Hounds U18 AAA really made a difference, and eventually led to Evans making his Pats debut as a 17-year-old on September 21, 2018.

"It was pretty crazy. I remember joining the team for a practice at the Saddledome in Calgary," he said. "They always challenged me and I always took it. Notre Dame helped a lot, moving away from home., learning to live by yourself and just manage different things. I had one goal and that was to play on Regina."

Evans was passed up in the NHL Entry Draft on two previous occasions before going in last years draft. It was his work ethic on and off the ice, and his determination during his summers that got him to this point, going down as one of the most dominant Pats defencemen in recent history.

Among Pats defencemen all-time, Evans ranks 16th in assists (104) and 20th in points (128), being amongst names like Brandon Davidson, Brad Stuart, Connor Hobbs, Barret Jackman, Jason Smith and Derek Morris. He is one of just eight Pats defenceman in the last 30 years to eclipse 100 career assists.

"I think the difference between all those players is that they were all high draft picks," Herauf added. "All those guys came in there with a name. I think that's what makes this so special about Ryker. He always had the ability but it was a matter of waiting for him to grow on gods time. He has gotten bigger and he has gotten stronger. He has also maximized every piece of ability god has given him. I think that's the difference between those guys on that list. They came in with high expectations, and Ryker kind of just made his own name."

It took Evans almost four years to score his first multi-goal game with the Pats, as he did so twice in as many games in early February. He pointed out that his shot was always a weakness of his growing up, but he continued to work at it by shooting pucks all summer.

"We have a great setup in my backyard," Evans said. "It's about the size of the blueline to the net. I'd just rip pucks in my backyard on a shower board. It helps with your accuracy, and being comfortable with the curve of your stick. The power and the strength comes from the gym."

Although many people praise Evans offensive abilities and work on the power play, it's his defence that has made him such a solid defencemen this season, making it difficult on opposing stars to beat him, as he's always able to force players to the outside, while making it difficult to get a clear shot on net.

"Defence wins you championships, so when we were in Notre Dame we were big on defence," Evans said. "Just watching NHL games, how skilled some of the offensive players are, and how good they are defensively, which allows them to play offence. Me hammering down in the defensive zone and being a tough guy to play against will give me those offensive opportunities."

On January 17, 2021, Regina Pats General Manager John Paddock had many offers for Ryker Evans, but decided to keep the veteran defenceman, finishing his career as a lifetime Pat', and a future alumni in which prospects can look up to as a player who came in without high expectations, and left as one of the more solid Pats defenders in recent years.

"That trade deadline was definitely a weird time," Evans added. "We didn't know what was going to happen. We knew John had some offers but I texted John when he told me they couldn't find a team. I told him we're ready to make the playoffs and we're willing to do anything to get there. We had a little conversation over text after the deadline. It's an accomplishment to finish off with an exceptional organization. It's been great to be a Pat'."

As Evans' career comes to a close, he's still within reach of one more milestone as he must play the remaining nine games on the Pats schedule to reach 200 career games. Although there have been many memories and friendships over the years, Evans says the one thing he will remember the most is work ethic.

"It's just work ethic. That's a big thing we pride ourselves on. Coming to the rink everyday with your hard hat on. That's something I'll always remember."

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Western Hockey League Stories from March 29, 2022


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