Ranger Ryder certainly has a ring to it.
Moose Jaw Warriors’ forward Ryder Korczak was selected in the third round, 75th overall by the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League Entry Draft Saturday, and becomes the second Warrior in as many years to go in the third round after captain Daemon Hunt went to Minnesota 65th in 2020.
Congrats, Ryder! pic.twitter.com/QMfVlbAWm8
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 24, 2021
Korczak, 18, posted 16 points in 17 games at the Regina Hub, and led Moose Jaw in points as a 17-year-old with 67 in 62 contests the last time there was a full campaign in 2019-2020.
Big brother Kaeden was taken in the 2nd round in 2019 by the Las Vegas Golden Knights, and will likely be a regular for their American Hockey League franchise in Henderson, NV in the upcoming season.
Warriors' Korczak pushed past injury at Hub, confident heading into draft
? | Jamie Neugebauer (@Neugsie)
? | https://t.co/xxcvePcqdH
? | Keith Hershmiller (@keithhershphoto)#DUBNetwork #WHL #DraftGeek #EastDivision #Interviews @Korzy19 @MJWARRIORS pic.twitter.com/hgUqac01WH— DUBNetwork (@dub_network) May 24, 2021
Ryder, of Yorkton, SK, was originally drafted by and played for the Calgary Hitmen, before Moose Jaw acquired him in May, 2019 as part of the deal that sent defenceman Jett Woo back the other way. He was chosen in the second round, 29th overall by Calgary in 2017 out of the Yorkton Terriers U15s.
Congratulations to Ryder Korczak of the @MJWARRIORS, selected 75th overall by the @NYRangers!#MeetTheFuture | #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/7oMh7zL3Lq
— The WHL (@TheWHL) July 24, 2021
Korczak becomes the second player connected to the Warriors taken in the draft, as the Columbus Blue Jackets took Moose Jaw draft pick Corson Ceulemans in the fifth round back in 2018. Former Warriors’ Import prospect Jesper Wallstedt was chosen 20th overall by the Minnesota Wild as well.
