Tigers forward Basha signs entry-level deal with Calgary Flames

Calgary, Alta.- Andrew Basha is living out his childhood dream.

The Medicine Hat Tigers star has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames, the NHL club announced Sunday.

“It’s a privilege and an honour to sign my first NHL contract with my hometown Calgary Flames,” Basha said on social media. “Thank you to all who have helped along my journey so far, without you all, I wouldn’t be here.
Thank you to the entire Medicine Hat Tigers organization, and the Maser family, for giving me the opportunity to grow as a player and person.”

Basha was selected with the 41st overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas, Nev.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound power forward is coming off a 2023-24 season that saw him pot a career-high 30 goals (including a career-best four-goal-game against Brandon) and 55 assists for 85 points in 63 games, in addition to five points (three goals, two assists) in five playoff matches.

Basha tallied an assist in two preseason games with the Flames before being returned to Medicine Hat- a club with clear championship aspirations.

“Our expectation is that he’s going to be the guy that drives it,” Flames Head Coach (and former WHL Champion) Ryan Huska told reporters after Basha’s reassignment. “All good teams, their top players are their hardest working, best players, and that’s what we want him to be. So, he has an opportunity to do that on a team that’s going to be very competitive. It’s a good program in Medicine Hat and we know he’s going to do some great things.”

The 18-year-old picked up a goal and an assist in his first two WHL outings of the season against Red Deer over the weekend.

Basha and the Tigers look for revenge on the road as they take on the Rebels in Red Deer on Friday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. MST.