Seattle Kraken’s Ryker Evans Faces Lengthy Recovery from Injury Ahead of Season Opener

Seattle Kraken Defenseman Ryker Evans Injured

In a recent announcement from the Seattle Kraken, it has been confirmed that defenseman Ryker Evans will be sidelined for six to eight weeks due to an upper-body injury. This setback means the 23-year-old player is likely to miss the initial games of the upcoming NHL season, including the season opener against the Anaheim Ducks scheduled for October 9.

Evans’ Performance and Contract Extension

Evans, who was drafted by the Kraken in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft, is coming off his first full professional season, during which he accumulated 25 points—comprising five goals and 20 assists—across 73 games. His promising performance led to a two-year contract extension in August, worth $2.05 million per season, which will keep him with the franchise until the end of the 2026-27 season.

General Manager’s Praise

General Manager Jason Botterill previously praised Evans’ development, noting, “Ryker took a positive step forward in his first full season in the NHL. Since turning pro, he’s shown improvement year over year, and we’re confident he’ll take his game to another level next season. We’re happy to have him under contract.”

Career Overview

Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 195 pounds, Evans has played a total of 109 NHL games, contributing a total of 34 points. He also represented Team Canada at this year’s World Hockey Championship, notching two assists in eight games.