Ryker Evans

Ryker Garth Evans (born on December 13, 2001) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League (AHL) under contract to the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected with the 35th overall pick by the Kraken in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He previously played with the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Junior
Evans played with the Notre Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL). He won a gold medal and was named the tournament's top defenseman while compteting for the Telus Cup in 2018.

Evans was selected in the tenth round (209th overall) in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft. In the 2018–19 season, he played 45 games, recording one goal and 10 assists for 11 points in his first season with Regina. In the 2020–21 season season, he was named assistant captain of the Pats. In the 2021–22 season, still with the Pats, he registered 15 goals and 47 assists in 63 games. He was then selected as the 35th overall pick by the Kraken in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Professional
On April 22, 2022, Evans signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Seattle Kraken. In May 2022, he signed an amateur tryout contract (ATO) with the Charlotte Checkers, the Kraken's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. He would then help the Checkers in the Calder Cup playoffs.

After attending the Kraken's 2022 training camp, Evans was re-assigned to play with the Kraken's new AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Evans helped the Firebirds off to a successful start, leading the league amongst rookie defenseman in points in earning a selection to the AHL All-Star Game. Evans played with the Firebirds during the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs, making it to the Calder Cup Final, losing in game seven to the Hershey Bears, managing 26 points in 26 games.

Evans made his NHL debut with the Kraken on December 7, 2023, in a 2–1 loss against the New Jersey Devils, where he was placed on a line with Brian Dumoulin. He recorded his first NHL point (an assist) on December 12, in a 4–0 win against the Florida Panthers. Evans scored his first NHL goal on March 22, 2024, in a 2–1 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes.

Personal life
In fourth grade, Evans was diagnosed with celiac disease, which causes a reaction in the small intestine to eating gluten.