The NHL’s newest team is starting to get a Regina Pats connection.

Having taken former Pat Jordan Eberle in the expansion draft, the Seattle Kraken looked at the Pats Saturday in Round 2 of the NHL draft as they selected Ryker Evans.

The 19-year-old Calgary product finished in a tie for the team lead in points this season with 28 (3G-25A) and was second amongst all WHL defencemen in scoring.

Evans says he used some of the COVID-19 layoff to better his skills and thought it helped him during the shortened 24-game season.

“I was able to work on a lot of things that you never really get to work on during the season,” he said. “That just allowed my confidence and my belief in my abilities to skyrocket.

While Evans is expected to be a member of the Pats next season, he can be sent to the American Hockey League by the Kraken seeing he is 19.