To say things have been going pretty well for Moose Jaw Warriors forward Ryder Korczak as of late would be a bit of an understatement.
Not only is his current team in the midst of the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs, the 19-year-old Yorkton product has now taken a major step toward securing his hockey future,
The New York Rangers announced they had signed Korczak to a three-year entry-level National Hockey League contract on Wednesday, May 4, marking an occasion the third-year Warrior veteran had been heavily anticipating.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time,” Korczak said on Twitter shortly after signing the deal. “I’m excited to announce that I’ve signed my first NHL contract with the [New York Rangers]. Thanks to everyone for the support. It’s just the beginning.”
Korzak joined the Warriors in the blockbuster deal for defenceman Jett Woo during the 2019 off-season and promptly became an impact player and fan-favourite, putting up 18 goals and 67 points in 62 games in his first season in Mosaic Place.
The pandemic led to the abbreviated East Division Hub campaign, where Korczak had another solid campaign with three goals and 16 points in 17 games.
That led the New York Rangers to make Korczak the first of five Warriors selected in the 2021 National Hockey League Entry Draft that summer, picking Korczak in the third round, 75th overall.
Korczak rewarded the Rangers with another stellar campaign this past season, scoring 25 goals and 79 points while also showing plenty of durability, playing all 68 games of the season. He’s kept things right on going in the playoffs, with two goals and five points in five games.
Information released by Cap Friendly shows Korczak will earn $859,157 in salary and $82,500 in performance bonuses in year one of the deal.
Korczak is the second member of his family to sign with an NHL team, as older brother Kaedan Korczak is currently a defenceman in the Las Vegas Golden Knights system.
Korczak and the Warriors open their second-round playoff series with the Winnipeg Ice on Friday night in Winnipeg.
