A former Regina Pat defenceman has been named to the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic.

Ryker Evans who now plays with the Seattle Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds was announced as an All-Star selection on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old from Calgary, Alta. has posted 21 points (3G-18A) and a +18 plus/minus rating in 32 games this season. Amongst all AHL defencemen, Evans ranks tied for 11th in points and ninth in assists, while leading all rookie defencemen in assists and tied for first in points.

Evans was a second-round selection of Seattle in the 2021 NHL Draft.

During his four seasons with the Pats he had 25 goals, 106 assists for 131 points in 195 career games, ranking 13th in franchise history in assists amongst defencemen and 19th in points. In his final season, Evans established career highs in goals (14), assists (37) and points (61), ranking fifth among WHL defencemen in power play assists (24), seventh in points and eighth in assists, while also taking him his third straight Charles Johnston Memorial Trophy for the Pats Top Defenceman.

The AHL All-Star Classic will take place in Laval on February 5-6.