Calgary Flames select Andrew Basha No. 41 overall in 2024 NHL Draft

On Saturday at The Sphere in Las Vegas, the xxx took forward Andrew Basha in the second round, No. 41 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. 

Basha is a dynamic winger who loves to carry the puck. The 18-year-old racked up 85 points (30 goals, 55 assists) in 63 games last season with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League. The Calgary, Alberta native finished third in team scoring. He added five points (three goals, two assists) in five playoff games. 

Over two full seasons with Medicine Hat, Basha has recorded 141 points (50 goals, 91 assists) in 130 games. Prior to that, he tallied 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 14 games for South Alberta Hockey Academy (SAHA) U18 Prep in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League in 2021-22. 

Basha’s best weapon is his quickness. He is able to make quick decisions with the puck and utilize his agility to create offensive chances out of nowhere. The 6-foot, 185-pounder has shown the ability to check defensively and play a grittier role when needed but has also taken some criticism for shying away from physicality. 

He ranks 28th on Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis’ final prospect rankings. 

“Basha had a tremendous year with Medicine Hat, picking up the slack while [Cayden Lindstrom] was injured,” Ellis wrote in his final draft prospect rankings. He finished the regular season with 30 goals and 85 points in 63 games, building upon a campaign that saw him post one of the best goal totals of any Draft-1 player in the CHL last year. He won’t blow you away in the NHL with his skill, but he brings good energy and is strong defensively. Basha’s hockey sense will take him far, and his ability to play a variety of different roles helps, too.”