Everyone on staff was feeling good about the pick and Evans' play during the WHL season hasn't doused the enthusiasm. He has 16 points in 17 games (three goals, 13 assists) for a young team in a rebuilding mode, including 16-year-old phenom Connor Bedard. Earlier in the month, Evans was named WHL Player of the Week.
The 6-0, 191-pound Evans sees himself as a leader by example: "I am definitely taking on even more of the role, helping the young guys," said Evans, 19, during a phone interview this week.
Evans isn't standing still on his own game either. Per the offensive elements of his play, Evans said he is working on getting shots to the net (he has 43 in 17 games) and "more deception to evade [opposing] forwards to generate offense."
"I am also focusing on tightening my defensive play," said Evans. "Playing good defense is most important, getting my stick on pucks and directing where you want the other team's forwards to go."
The Calgary native is committed to helping his team to jump some places in the WHL standings. Regina changed coaches this week.
John Paddock, Regina general manager and vice president of hockey operations, took over a 6-10-0 team that was enduring a seven-game losing streak. Regina snapped the skid Saturday against Moose Jaw and plays two more road games Tuesday and Wednesday.
Evans said Paddock "commands a lot of respect" and expressed gratitude to outgoing coach Dave Struch.
"Both of them have really believed in me," said Evans. "I can't thank them enough."
Here's a roundup of other Kraken draft choices and developing pros:
