Today, we continue with the graduating trio from the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Andrew Basha (F)

Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 233 GP – 82 G-152 A – 234 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Fifth Round, 105th Overall (Medicine Hat Tigers)
NHL Draft: 2024 – Second Round, 41st Overall (Calgary Flames)

Watch out world! Andrew Basha is heating up!

After a five season campaign with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Calgary Flames prospect Andrew Basha is set to graduate before heading to the big leagues.

Originally selected 105th overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Basha quickly proved to be a monumental piece for the Tabbies, cracking the Club's full-time roster during the 2021-22 season.

While a consistent contributor right out of the gates, Basha's game took a massive step forward during the 2023-24 WHL Season, when the forward erupted for a career-high 85 points (30 G-55 A) in 63 regular season appearances. The performance earned him a spot on the WHL Central Division Second All-Star Team and placed him third in team scoring during the regular season.

And, it wasn't just his Western League opponents who were well aware of Basha's increased production. His breakout campaign also caught the eyes of NHL management.

It would be Basha's hometown Calgary Flames that came calling that summer, selecting Basha 41st overall in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft. The hometown Club then signed him to a three-year entry-level contract on September 29, 2024.

Unfortunately, the 2024-25 season was not as kind to the budding prospect, as Basha missed significant time due to an ankle injury. However, the setback didn't stop the forward from making an impression during the 2025 WHL Playoffs, as Basha returned to the Tigers lineup for the 2025 WHL Championship Series. With five points (2 G-3 A) in five games, Basha helped the Tigers capture the Club's sixth Ed Chynoweth Cup in franchise history. He also added an assist in four games at the 2025 Memorial Cup as the Tigers advanced to the tournament final before falling to the OHL's London Knights.

Basha began the 2025-26 campaign with the Flames' American Hockey League affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, before being reassigned to Medicine Hat on January 2, 2026. He went on to run rampant offensively, collecting 50 points (18 G-32 A) in 32 regular season games.

He carried that production into the 2026 WHL Playoffs, leading the Tigers with 21 points (3 G-18 A) in 15 appearances as Medicine Hat advanced to the Eastern Conference Championship Series for the second-consecutive postseason.

Basha closes out his WHL career with 234 points (82 G-152 A) in 233 regular season games with the Tigers.

Ethan Neutens (F)

Hometown: Cochrane, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 235 GP – 27 G-32 A – 59 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Ninth Round, 180th Overall (Kelowna Rockets)

Ethan Neutens may have started his WHL career in the Okanagan, but it was in Medicine Hat where he found a home.

Originally selected 180th overall by the Kelowna Rockets in the ninth round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, the Cochrane, Alta., product made his WHL debut on October 5, 2022, against the Victoria Royals.

Neutens spent parts of three seasons with the Rockets, collecting 25 points (11 G-14 A) in 135 regular season appearances.

On November 14, 2024, Neutens headed east to join Medicine Hat following a trade with the Rockets. He made his Medicine Hat debut the following night, quickly embracing his new home with the Tabbies.

Neutens skated in 47 regular season appearances in his first season with Medicine Hat. But, it was what happened in the 2025 WHL Playoffs that will forever stick with the forward.

In 18 postseason appearances, Neutens collected five points (2 G-3 A), but, more importantly, he was part of the Tigers' run to their sixth Ed Chynoweth Cup.

Neutens then followed his championship season with a career year offensively.

During the 2025-26 WHL Season, the hard-working winger posted a career-high in goals (12), assists (12), and points (24) in 53 regular season games. Neutens' energy and physical style of play also helped earn him the moniker “Everybody's Favourite Tiger” around Medicine Hat.

In total, Neutens closes out his WHL career with 59 points (27 G-32 A) in 235 regular season games split between Kelowna and Medicine Hat.

Josh Van Mulligen (D)

Hometown: Medicine Hat, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 250 GP – 14 G-72 A – 86 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Second Round, 39th Overall (Medicine Hat Tigers)

For Josh Van Mulligen, there may not have been a more fitting way to close out his WHL career.

Born and raised in Medicine Hat, the defenceman grew up watching the Tigers from the stands and even spent time around the Club as a stick boy.

So, there was no spot more fitting than the Gas City for Van Mulligen, who heard his name called by Medicine Hat in the second round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft. Van Mulligen would go on to spend his entire five-season junior career in the orange and black, steadily developing into a dependable two-way blueliner for his hometown club.

While consistent in all five seasons with the Tigers, the 2024-25 campaign will always go down as the most memorable for the blueliner.

The regular season saw Van Mulligen post a career-best 27 points (3 G-24 A) in 50 games with Medicine Hat. And, the good times were only getting started for Van Mulligen and Co.

With six points (3 G-3 A) in postseason appearances, Van Mulligen was a mainstay on Medicine Hat's blueline as the Central Division club captured it's sixth WHL Championship.

The hometown defenceman followed up his trophy-raising season with another productive campaign in 2025-26. Van Mulligen recorded 25 points (6 G-19 A) in 51 regular season appearances, setting a new career high in goals.

In total, Van Mulligen closes out his WHL career with exactly 250 regular season appearances with the Tabbies, collecting 86 points (14 G-72 A).

The two Clubs announced the deal Thursday.

"Cash brings an element we are looking for," said Michael Dyck, Head Coach and General Manager of the Giants. "He is highly competitive, plays with an edge, and is hard to play against."

Koch, a 5-foot-11, 196-pound left winger from Calgary, Alta., recorded 16 points (7G-9A) in 41 games with the Ams during the 2025-26 season. Originally selected by the Americans in the second round (24th overall) of the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, Koch enjoyed a career campaign in 2023-24, tallying 23 points (10G-13A) in 68 games. Over the course of 175 career WHL regular season contests, the veteran forward has logged 58 points (29G-29A) and 253 minutes in penalties.

The Giants are set to open training camp with rookie registration Monday, August 24, and rookie scrimmages beginning Tuesday, August 25, at the Ladner Leisure Centre. Main camp scrimmages begin Friday, August 28, at Ladner Leisure Centre.

"It’s important, because I support my sister’s needs, and I raise the money to try to give the money to the hospital so then they can do more research and try and cure my sister," Tallyn told CTV News.

Today, we continue with the Lethbridge Hurricanes' graduating class.

Matteo Fabrizi (D)

Hometown: St. Albert, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 282 GP – 17 G-47 A – 64 points
WHL Draft: 2020 – Second Round, 31st Overall (Red Deer Rebels)

After a five-year WHL career Matteo Fabrizi is on to future endeavours!

Originally selected 31st overall by the Red Deer Rebels in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Fabrizi came into the Western League with a bang. The St. Albert, Alta., local made his WHL debut on October 9, 2021, against the Lethbridge Hurricanes and collected his first career multi-point game in his second-ever skate with Red Deer – collecting two assists on October 15, 2021, against the Calgary Hitmen.

Following his debut, the 6-foot-6 blueliner spent the next four seasons of his junior career with Red Deer, steadily carving out a role on the Rebels’ backend.

From October 2021 to December 2024, Fabrizi made 197 appearances with the Rebels, collecting 37 points (11 G-26 A).

On December 31, 2024, Fabrizi welcomed in the New Year by heading east to join the Prince Albert Raiders following a trade with Red Deer. Fabrizi went on to suit up with the Raiders on 28 regular season occasions, tallying up two goals, six assists, and eight times. Although short, Fabrizi's time HockeyTown North was truly memorable, as the blueliner also skated in 11 games during the 2025 WHL Playoffs with the Raiders.

And, in May 2025, Fabrizi found himself in a third WHL market as the Lethbridge Hurricanes acquired the veteran defenceman from Prince Albert.

Back in the Central Division, Fabrizi quickly became a key piece on the Hurricanes’ blue line and was named an alternate captain ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

In 56 regular season appearances with Lethbridge, Fabrizi posted a career-best five goals, 18 assists, and 23 points, while also contributing a physical presence with 62 penalty minutes.

In total, the St. Albert product skated in 282 regular season games across Red Deer, Prince Albert and Lethbridge, collecting 64 points (17 G-47 A). He also appeared in 34 career postseason games.

Andrew Petruk (F)

Hometown: Surrey, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 170 GP – 12 G-17 A – 29 points
WHL Draft: Listed (Everett Silvertips)

From listed player to WHL graduate, Andrew Petruk's WHL journey is one filled with hard work and dedication.

After going undrafted in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, Petruk was listed by the Everett Silvertips before joining the Club in September 2022. Defying the odds, the Surrey, B.C., local made his WHL debut on September 24, 2022, before suiting up in 51 total games during his rookie season.

In total, Petruk spent parts of three seasons in Everett, racking up 15 points (6 G-9 A) in 117 appearances.

In January 2025, the forward returned to his home province after being acquired in a trade by the Kelowna Rockets. Petruk embraced the move back to British Columbia, posting four points (1 G-3 A) in 25 regular season games in Kelowna.

But, Kelowna wasn't the last stop in Petruk's junior hockey career. In December 2025, a 20-year-old Petruk signed as a free agent with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Petruk went on to make his Hurricanes debut on December 12, 2025, registering his first goal with the Club in the process.

The forward wound up collecting 10 points (5 G-5 A) in 28 regular season games with Lethbridge. His 0.36 points-per-game average during the 2025-26 WHL campaign also went down as his career best.

In total, Petruk closes out his WHL career with 170 regular season appearances split between the Silvertips, Rockets, and Hurricanes, boasting 29 points (12 G-17 A).

The two Clubs announced the trade Thursday morning.

The 6-foot-3, 192-pound Cunningham, who hails from Lethbridge, Alta., joined the Tigers during the 2024-25 campaign, appearing in 38 regular season games and logging seven points (1G-6A). He was part of the Tigers squad that went on to capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL Champions in 2025.

The 2025-26 season saw Cunningham grow into a larger role with the Club. In 62 regular season games, he logged 30 points (9G-21A) before adding another five points (1G-4A) in 15 post-season contests.

Undrafted into the WHL, Cunningham signed a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement with the Tigers on October 24, 2024. In 100 career WHL regular season outings, he has collected 37 points (10G-27A).

The Vees are set to open training camp Thursday, August 27.

Today, we continue with the graduating trio from the Kelowna Rockets.

Ty Halaburda (F)

Hometown: Victoria, B.C. WHL Career Stats: 315 GP – 105 G-140 A – 245 points WHL Draft: 2020 – Second Round, 32nd Overall (Vancouver Giants)

Ty Halaburda is graduating from the Western Hockey League as British Columbia's best and brightest.

The Victoria, B.C., local got the opportunity to stay in his home province following his second-round selection by the Vancouver Giants in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.

Halaburda made his WHL debut on October 2, 2021, against his hometown Victoria Royals and went on to spend more than four seasons with Giants.

Since his introduction to the organization in October 2021, Halaburda quickly developed into one of the Club’s most productive forwards.

And, it was during the 2023-24 WHL Season where Halaburda truly established himself as one of the League's most consistent contributors. In 68 regular season appearances, Halaburda recorded a career-best 45 assists and 66 points – finishing tied for first in Giants scoring alongside fellow WHL alumnus, Jaden Lipinski.

Yet, Halaburda's legacy in Vancouver also extended past his on-ice performance. In November 2025, a 20-year-old Halaburda was named the captain of the Vancouver Giants.

With a freshly-stitched captain patch on his uniform, Halaburda's final season of WHL eligibility couldn't have started better, as the forward collected 39 points (20 G-19 A) in his first 40 regular season appearances.

Then, on January 6, 2026, the overage forward was acquired by the Kelowna Rockets as part of a trade that sent Los Angeles Kings prospect Will Sharpe to the Giants.

Looking for additional scoring ahead of their hosting duties at the 2026 Memorial Cup, Halaburda continued his strong offensive season adding 25 points (9 G-16 A) in 32 regular season games with the Rockets.

Halaburda also helped Kelowna make its return to the 2026 WHL Playoffs, putting up five points (1 G-4 A) in six postseason appearances.

In total, Halaburda closes out his WHL career with 245 points (105 G-140 A) in 315 regular season games with both the Giants and Rockets.

Mazden Leslie (D)

Hometown: Lloydminster, Alta. WHL Career Stats: 347 GP – 75 G-183 A – 258 points WHL Draft: 2020 – First Round, 10th Overall (Vancouver Giants)

When Mazden Leslie landed in Kelowna, he brought more than four seasons of Western League experience with him.

But, before the veteran defenceman was suiting for the 2026 Memorial Cup with the Rockets he was getting reps in with the Vancouver Giants.

Leslie was 10th-overall selection by the Vancouver Giants in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft and spent five seasons in Langley, B.C.

Leslie first made his WHL debut and recorded his first multi-goal outing on March 28, 2021, scoring twice in a meeting with his future club, the Kelowna Rockets.

And, with his first couple of junior hockey accolades quickly captured, Leslie was clear to run rampant against his Western League competition. The blueliner recorded back-to-back-to-back, 40-plus-point campaigns with the Giants spanning from 2022-23 to 2024-25.

Leslie also recorded a career-high in goals (21), assists (51), and points (72) during the 2024-25 WHL Season. For his efforts, Leslie was named to the WHL's Western Conference First All-Star Team and a finalist for the WHL's Defenceman of the Year award.

On May 21, 2025, Leslie was acquired by the Kelowna Rockets as the Club continued to bolster their roster ahead of the 2026 Memorial Cup. The veteran defenceman had initially committed to the NCAA's Bowling Green State University, but ultimately elected to return to the WHL for his final season.

And, a surprise to none, Leslie delivered another strong campaign.

In 67 regular season appearances with Kelowna, he recorded 68 points (18 G-50 A) and led the Rockets’ blue line in scoring. He also finished the season as the WHL’s active leader in career games played and career points among defencemen.

After six seasons in the Western League, Leslie exits junior hockey having dressed in a 347 regular season games, collecting 258 points (75 G-183 A).

Shane Smith (F)

Hometown: Cessford, Alta. WHL Career Stats: 264 GP – 93 G-90 A – 183 points WHL Draft: 2020 – Third Round, 51st Overall (Medicine Hat Tigers)

From on-ice performances to off-ice initiatives, Shane Smith was one of the League's best contributors.

Originally selected 51st overall by the Medicine Hat Tigers in the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, a 15-year-old Smith made his WHL debut on May 6, 2021, against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Smith returned for nine more appearances the following year before breaking out with 32 points (19 G-13 A) in 66 games during the 2022-23 WHL Season.

And, as the seasons progressed, so did Smith’s offensive game. In the 2023-24 campaign, Smith collected 51 points (29 G-22 A) in 64 games with the Tigers.

And, after spending part of the 2024-25 season in Medicine Hat, Smith was acquired by the Lethbridge Hurricanes via trade.

Unfazed by his move to what was once a division rival, Smith instantly caught fire with the Hurricanes. In 81 total games with Lethbridge, the product of Cessford, Alta., racked up 24 goals, 29 assists, and 53 assists.

Then, came one final move.

On November 9, 2025, Smith was acquired by the Kelowna Rockets in a deal aimed to bolster the Club's offence ahead of the 2026 Memorial Cup. He quickly made an impact in the Okanagan, recording 45 points (21 G-24 A) in 41 regular season games with the Rockets. Combined with his 23 points in Lethbridge, Smith finished the 2025-26 campaign with a career-high of 33 goals, 35 assists, and 68 points in 61 games.

Yet, Smith’s contributions extended well beyond the scoresheet too.

For the three-consecutive seasons, Smith was named a finalist for the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy, given annually to the WHL's Humanitarian of the Year, before ultimately receiving the award following the 2025-26 WHL Season.

Smith closes out his WHL career with 183 points (93 G-90 A) in 264 regular season games and 12 points (5 G-7 A) in 32 career playoff appearances.