UNH Commit John Evans: A Quick, Smooth, Dynamic Winger

John Evans
2021 UNH Commit

"Quick, smooth, dynamic." Neutral Zone

John Evans Forward, 5'10", 145 lbs. Shoots Right Hometown: South Surrey, British Columbia DOB: 4-8-2002 Just turned 18 2019-20 Team: West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)                        ~ Winger Neutral Zone Rating: 3.75 out of 5 Stars Committed to UNH: March, 2020 at Age 17 years, 11 month. Projected enrollment: Fall, 2021

2019-20 Highlight Reel

Interview

I had an opportunity to interview John Evans, via email, about his hockey career and commitment to UNH:

Mike Lowry ("C-H-C"): Congratulations on your commitment to play for the University of New Hampshire. What are the main reasons you chose UNH?

John Evans: Thank you! The main reasons I chose UNH were because of their first-class coaching staff and hockey program, and the conference they play in. I think Hockey East best suits the style of game I play, and I can’t wait to continue to develop and learn many new things from the coaching staff and my UNH teammates.

Mike Lowry: What other college programs did you consider during the recruiting process? Which schools did you visit and which ones made an offer to you?

John Evans: I was fortunate to have interest from colleges in each of the Conferences. In the end, however, I decided that UNH was definitely the place I wanted to be in order to pursue my hockey career.

Lowry: Have you and the UNH coaches agreed on a target date for you to enroll as a freshman at UNH and join the team?

Evans: As of right now I am slated to enroll at UNH in 2021-22. I know that if I want to come in and make an impact right away, I will need to get stronger and faster which is what I will be pushing to achieve.

Lowry: At this stage in your hockey development, what are the main strengths of your game? What areas are you trying to improve?

Evans: I think the main strengths in my game are my playmaking ability and my Hockey IQ. I feel like I can see the ice very well and I am able to anticipate plays before they happen. Areas of my game I would like to improve on would be getting quicker and faster, which will come by getting stronger and working hard in the gym.

Lowry: As a 17-year-old rookie in the British Columbia Hockey League, you scored 22 goals, 28 assists in 57 regular season games for the West Kelowna Warriors, plus 2 goals, 1 assist in 5 playoff games. You had the 5th highest points per game (0.88) among BCHL rookies and was named to the All-Rookie Team. I noticed you scored 5 goals, 8 assists in your first 29 regular season games then your scoring jumped to 17 goals, 20 assists in the last 28 games. What factors lead to your dramatic increase in scoring?

Evans: I think that it took me a little longer than I would’ve liked to get used to the faster speed of the game and the stronger players in junior compared to midget hockey. However, when I got used to it and starting producing, I gained a lot of confidence which I carried throughout the second half of the season and into the playoffs.

Lowry: You were an Alternate Captain for the Warriors which is unusual for a 17-year-old rookie. What leadership skills did you bring to that role?

Evans: I tried my best to lead by example on and off the ice. I am very grateful for my coaches and teammates for trusting me in that role, especially being one of the youngest players on the team.

Lowry: Over the last 5 seasons, you and UNH Commit Nick Ardanaz have been teammates - last season with the Warriors and the previous 4 seasons on teams at the Delta Hockey Academy near your homes just south of Vancouver, British Columbia. How has your relationship developed both on and off the ice?

Evans: Nick is one of my best friends and someone who I can count on for anything. We actually first played together on the Burnaby Winter Club AAA Atom team when we were 10 years old. Our relationship has continued to grow, especially these last 5 seasons, and it has been very cool to watch how Nick has developed into the person and player he is today. I am very excited to continue playing with him at UNH.

Lowry: In 2018, the Muskegon Lumberjacks selected you in the 8th round (138th overall) of the USHL Futures Draft. Do you anticipate returning to the West Kelowna Warriors next season or moving to another league?

Evans: As of right now my plan is to return to West Kelowna for another season. I really enjoyed my first season there, and I am excited to return and help the team push for the ultimate goal, an RBC Cup.

Lowry: Do you plan to graduate from high school this Spring? What are your academic strengths and interests? Have you thought about what you might major in when you enroll at UNH?

Evans: Yes, I plan to graduate from high school this spring. In school the subject I enjoy the most is English, and I think that I write pretty well. As of right now I have not decided what I might major in while attending UNH.

Youth, Prep School and Junior Hockey Statistics

Player	Season	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	PIM
John Evans  (F)	2019-20	West Kelowna Warriors	BCHL	57	22	28	50	16
			Playoffs	5	2	1	3	0
	2018-19	Delta Hockey Academy Prep	CSSHL	35	20	52	72	49
			Playoffs	3	0	4	4	0
		Surrey Eagles	BCHL	8	1	0	1	2
	2017-18	Delta Hockey Academy Elite 15s	CSSHL U15	36	23	50	73	8
			Playoffs	4	2	5	7	2
		Delta Hockey Academy Prep	CSSHL	5	2	2	4	0
	2016-17	Delta Hockey Academy Bantam Prep	CSSBHL	30	11	25	36	0
			Playoffs	5	1	1	2	0
	2015-16	Delta Hockey Academy Bantam Varsity	CSSBVL	23	5	14	19	6
			Playoffs	4	1	5	6	0