| Ryker Evans | Notre Dame Hounds | SJHL | L | D | 5’11” | 181 | Regina Pats | Calgary, AB | 2001 | 2020-2021: B- |
Neutral Zone NHL’s Ian Moran’s comments, June 2021: I believe Ryker is going to be drafted and I think he should be. He’s listed at 180 pounds, but I think his low powerful base and stride will allow him to carry an additional ten pounds which will make a difference while battling with professionals. To me, he’s the kind of defender that teams will be comparing to current NHLer Matt Grzelcyk. He’s not overly physical, but his skating and low hips will allow him to battle in the corners and in front of the net. From there the teams will be evaluating if he has the ability to play safe two way hockey and be a transition machine. I think he does and I think a team will agree with me that they can teach him how to defend because he skates so well and they won’t want to pass up his ability to make hard crisp passes in all three zones.
Neutral Zone’s Michael Crawford, May 2021: He is a smooth skating D that can skate or pass the puck out of his own end with ease. Just seems to be inconsistent when playing with the edge I think he needs to play in the NHL. He will be considered in this draft because of the offensive numbers he put up in the shortened season. His defensive game is adequate at this level of Jr. hockey but considered a perimeter type player who will not go out of his way to go into the greasy, dirty areas. He has one more year of overage and will likely not get drafted this year as he needs to bring his defensive game up to at least par and his offensive numbers will have to be off the charts. Even then he will most likely get invited to NHL camps. Ryker Evans 5 Ft 11 190 lbs. LD BD 13. Dec. 2001 Regina Pats WHL Scored 3 goals 25 assists 37 PIMs with a minus -4 rating. Power Play time 4+ minutes, Penalty Kill 3.4 average mins per game. He logs in an average of 27.4 mins played during the shortened 24 game season this year.
WHL: Regina Pats vs Moose Jaw Warriors, April 2021: Evans lateral quickness and strength were evident from the start, where he was a factor while killing penalties and ending the cycle because of it. He closed on opponents with his stick in lanes and showed a real willingness to sacrifice his body to block shots. His gaps control was tight and he looked comfortable defending on both left and right side. Offensively Evans moved his feet to generate passing lanes or shooting lanes and he scored a power play goal because of his ability to receive a pass and attack the box. In five on five situations it is obvious that his coaching staff has given him the green light to join the rush as much as possible. Evans maturity and poise made him a factor in all facets of the game.
WHL: Regina Pats vs Brandon Wheat Kings, November 2019: Evans looks dramatically stronger, quicker and more confident in all situations. He displayed nice game awareness in his end while reading off his goaltender’s puck play or working a reverse with his partner or center. Offensively Evans was a factor as he joined the rush consistently and without forcing the play. As the puck carrier we loved his willingness to attack the middle, dish it wide and be a very effective middle drive. He is a bright spot on the Pats’ roster, but as he progresses through his junior career Evans will need to continue developing his lower body strength to be a more reliable two way defender which will allow him to garner more attention as a true National League prospect.
WHL: Regina Pats vs Everett Silvertips, October 2018: Evans got his first career Western League assist in this 5-1 loss, but it showed the type of offensive skill that he is capable of. On a first period power play his partner threw him a bouncing puck along the blueline that Evans calmly one touched back to him. Evans pass was hard and flat allowing Henry to step into a slapshot that went short side shelf. Defensively Evans played with his stick on the ice, but we feel as a weakside defender he was hyper focused on the puck.
WHL: Regina Pats vs Prince Albert Raiders, September 2018: Defensively when Evans kept it simple he was effective. He has an excellent skating base and a very fluid stride. He kept his hips low while engaging in contact and was able to use his stick on puck skills to disrupt the cycle. His lateral mobility allowed him to maintain tight gaps and force poor decisions in the neutral zone. Offensively Evans showed the vision to make stretch passes that led to quick transition and there were a number of times where he showed the poise to find the weakside wing in the regrouping situations. He will need to continue gaining strength, but there is a lot to Evan’s game that is intriguing.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images