Reassigned by Seattle Kraken, Ryker Evans returns to the Firebirds just in time for playoffs

The Coachella Valley Firebirds begin their quest for a Calder Cup this week against the Calgary Wranglers, and they’ve been given a huge boost from their NHL affiliate, the Seattle Kraken.

With the Kraken’s season ending April 18, Seattle reassigned 22-year-old defenseman Ryker Evans to the Firebirds for the playoff run.

Evans, a Calgary native who played a big role in the Firebirds’ run to the Calder Cup Finals a year ago, is a left-handed shooting blueliner who may be the best skater on the team, is among the fastest end-to-end and is an adept passer — or “puck mover,” in hockey terms. At 6-foot and around 190 pounds, he’s also known as a big hitter on the ice, despite not being a physically intimidating force.

Adding an NHL-caliber player like that for the postseason is almost an unfair advantage, players acknowledge. From players to coaches, the Firebirds used the word "huge" to describe having Evans back in the lineup for the postseason.

Firebirds netminder Chris Driedger describes Evans as “the complete package” as a player.

“He’s smart, a lot of poise and good on our power play as well,” Driedger said. “So, he’s a guy who’s taken the jump and proven that he can play at the next level, in the NHL, so we’re lucky to have him back. He’s a huge add for our team.”

The Firebirds gave up the second-fewest goals (182) in the American Hockey League during the regular season. They’ve allowed 2.74 goals per game from October to January but became a much better defensive team over the last three months. They allowed just 2.11 goal against in February, 2.42 in March and 2.22 in April.

Coachella Valley’s improved play in the defensive zone came as Evans was adjusting his game to the speed of the NHL, where he played 36 games, playing some of the best offensive players in the world, like Sidney Crosby, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.

Firebirds head coach Dan Bylsma said that adding a player like Evans to a defense that is playing its best hockey of the season should make an already solid defensive unit even better.

“We’re extremely proud that we gave up the second fewest goals in the league,” Bylsma said. “That’s proof that we’ve got a lot of good defensemen and our team and our (defense) have played well together. But to be able to add Ryker in with those guys is huge for our team.”

Evans was a key part of last year’s run to Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals. He was third on the team, and in the league, with 26 points (five goals, 21 assists) in the playoffs and he scored the game-winning goal in Game 3 of the series against Calgary, which was a walk-off goal in the third overtime.

Now, Evans returns with another year of experience and the confidence of knowing he can play at the highest level. He also re-joins the Firebirds after his stretch with the Kraken helped the game slow down for him.

Evans said that while his game hasn’t changed much, he’s more comfortable in various situations this year. He also said that he’s picked up some tips and tricks that should help him this postseason.

“Once you start playing against good players,” Evans said, “and you’re out there and you’re learning different things that they do, and you see little things that they do to make the game easier and you pick up on it, I think that’s the biggest thing that I’ve taken away.”

Veteran Jimmy Schuldt, who has been an anchor on the blue line for the Firebirds this season, smiled when asked about Evans returning. Schuldt said that Evans makes the game easier for his teammates on the ice and that he’s a poised player who adds so much to the Firebirds’ offense with his ability to create and score.

“Watching him this year, he’s taken a step, defensively, too,” Schuldt said. “I loved to see him play physical up there for Seattle, and it’s really good to have him back.”

Evans will rejoin the Firebirds with a number of players who logged minutes with the Firebirds this season. Among that group is Driedger, who has 67 NHL games under his belt, and veterans Devin Shore (443 NHL games) and John Hayden (249 NHL games).

Rookie center Shane Wright, who had his own breakthrough stint with the Kraken last month, scoring four goals in a four-game stretch, is another player who recently returned to the Firebirds. Bylsma said that Wright’s ability to “process” the game was accelerated after he was re-assigned by the Kraken.

The belief among the Firebirds is that the NHL stint will have a similar effect on Evans once the puck drops on Coachella Valley’s postseason starting Friday evening.

“It’s huge having him back,” Wright said. “He’s a talented, talented player.

Wright added, “He’s sort of the all-around package.”

Andrew John covers the Firebirds for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at andrew.john@dsertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Ryker Evans is back with Firebirds for Calder Cup playoffs