2024 WHL Champion Kovacevic, Wild Captain Friesen sign with AHL’s Colorado Eagles

Recent WHL graduates Rilen Kovacevic and Evan Friesen have signed on with the Colorado Eagles, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche.

Kovacevic, 20, played parts of six seasons with the Kelowna Rockets, Edmonton Oil Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors and Prince Albert Raiders.

The 5-foot-11, 182-pound winger picked up 26 goals and 33 assists for 59 points in 60 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors and Prince Albert Raiders in 2024-25.

Kovacevic graduates from the WHL with 59 goals and 69 assists for 128 points in 225 regular-season contests.

RILEN KOVACEVIC WITH THE SHORTHANDED GOAL!

The @PARaidersHockey have their first lead of the night in a must-win Game 6 🚨

Catch the exciting conclusion for FREE on @victoryplustv #WHLPlayoffs | #FeedingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/52HwNg2cwJ

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) April 6, 2025

However, some of his best work has come in the WHL Playoffs.

The Kelowna, B.C. product was a key part of Moose Jaw’s championship run in the 2024 WHL Playoffs.

He put up 15 points (4G-11A) in 20 postseason contests, including primary assists on the game-winning goals in Games 3 and 4 of the Championship Series- a sweep against the Portland Winterhawks.

Kovacevic added another two assists at the 2024 Memorial Cup and has previously attended rookie camp with the Colorado Avalanche, including dressing for two preseason contests, ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Friesen spent his entire WHL career with the Wenatchee Wild/ Winnipeg ICE franchise and captained the Wild in 2024-25.

The 5-foot-11, 188-pound centreman led his team with 32 goals and 29 assists for 61 points in 2024-25.

Friesen’s season highlight came in a four-goal, one-assist effort against the Tri-City Americans on January 5, 2025 that saw three of his goals come in an eight-minute span in the second period.

Talk about a Wild week!

Fresh off his four-goal, five-point outing on Sunday, @WHLwild_ captain Evan Friesen has been named the Tempo WHL Player of the Week. pic.twitter.com/pC8y1GkYPz

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 6, 2025

He also finished second among all WHLers in faceoff wins with 787 (52.5%).

The Winnipeg, Man. product has racked up 75 goals and 71 assists for 146 points in 240 regular-season tilts.

Like Kovacevic, he brings plenty of playoff experience to the table, including a trip to the 2023 WHL Championship Series with the Winnipeg ICE, where he bagged seven goals and two assists in 17 games.

Following the completion of his WHL eligibility, Friesen briefly suited up for the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies and quickly earned his first professional points with a goal and assist in eight tilts to close out 2024-25.

Both forwards are currently attending Colorado Avalanche development camp.