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The Kraken announced on Friday afternoon that they signed defender Ryker Evans to a 3-year, entry-level contract.
Welcome aboard, Ryker!
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) April 22, 2022
We’ve agreed to terms with second-round draft pick @RykerEvans_ on an entry-level contract → https://t.co/u2aWaQBvnt pic.twitter.com/7jEfDkTPxi
Evans had nothing short of a career year with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League this season. He set career highs in every offensive category, finishing 7th among WHL defensemen with 61 points.
“We’re excited to sign our second-ever draft pick, Ryker Evans,” said Seattle Kraken General Manager Francis. “He had a really impressive season with the Regina Pats and we’re looking forward to having him continue his development with our organization.”
The Pats fell just short of the playoffs this year, in spite of the Herculean efforts of Evans and teammate Connor Bedard (the presumptive 2023 #1 overall pick). He won’t join the Kraken this season, and will not “burn” a year from his contract like Matty Beniers. According to the Athletic’s Ryan Clark, the hope is that Evans will sign an amateur tryout offer and join the Charlotte Checkers for the AHL playoffs coming up next week, thereby giving Evans a chance to practice against bigger, tougher competition in a professional setting.
The plan for Ryker Evans is that his entry-level contract will start next season with the potential he could sign an amateur tryout offer to play for the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL, per a team source. #SeaKraken https://t.co/lywMbB3ZRn
— Ryan S. Clark (@ryan_s_clark) April 22, 2022
Update: 3:22pm
The Checkers did indeed announce that Evans will join them for the Calder Cup Playoffs. The development starts now!
Seattle draft pick Ryker Evans has agreed to terms on an entry-level contract and will join the Checkers
— x - Charlotte Checkers (@CheckersHockey) April 22, 2022
➡️ https://t.co/0mNKAHBqGn pic.twitter.com/R1zY8W584J
Congratulations Ryker!
Let’s all talk about Ryker Evans. pic.twitter.com/QCqDzGClu3
— Mike Benton (@Benton_Mike) February 6, 2022
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