NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers forward Andrew Basha celebrates his first period goal against the Red Deer Rebels on Mar. 1.
Andrew Basha wasn’t with the Medicine Hat Tigers for the full season but he still got the complete experience of the tough season.
The 16-year-old started the season at the CSSHL level with the South Alberta Hockey Academy before joining the Tigers in the WHL. Basha said he thought his first season in the WHL was good and is excited for the off-season.
“I think I made the most of my opportunity at the start of the year in midget and brought all my confidence and everything up here,” Basha said. “I was able to establish myself in the room and establish myself as a young guy in the league and I think I played really well and I grew a lot as a player and a person.”
Basha had seven goals and 23 points in 14 games with SAHA before joining the Tigers in November, where he had five goals and 14 points in 48 games. When asked what he learned from what was a difficult Tigers season, Basha said he thinks the season will be important for their development as players and as a team.
“We’re a young group and as we move on to next year and this summer, we know we never want that again and after going through that we know what it feels like to have that,” Basha said. “I also think it just prepares us for next year. You can’t get worse than we did. From here it’s only positive and we never gave up which I think speaks a lot to our heart. It’s really important if you want to be successful next year.”
The Calgary product was with the Tigers when SAHA won the Mac’s tournament April 10. Basha said he was excited for his former team and the program to have that success.
“I still talk to most of my SAHA teammates, I think that’s huge, especially for the program in its second year,” Basha said. “You could probably call it the first year as no one had a full season in 2020. It’s so big for the Academy, everyone involved and I think it speaks to how good of a job even Willie (Desjardins) does and Brayden (Desjardins) does recruiting guys. The Mac’s is such a prestigious tournament for midget, I was so excited for them.”
As the off-season hits, Basha said he’s just focused on working hard because he has high expectations for himself next season with the Tigers.
“I want to get to to be able to dominate next year, that’s what I want,” Basha said. “I want to be a big guy for this team and do everything I can to help help the organization succeed more. I think strength and speed is always the two biggest things as you move up (to improve)but even just the way you prepare. Now I know everything goes into you know having a good day the next day and you have to have a good day everyday to be successful.”
His parents installed a shooting net for him at their house so he can work on his shot as much as he wants. Basha said with a laugh that was partially to avoid banging up the garage door but also because he wants to have a hard, accurate shot.
“It’s something I really have to work on and especially on the half wall on the power play,” Basha said. “Being able to push teams back with my shot and allow my speed and skill to open up more.”
When he’s not at the rink or training Basha said he’ll likely hangout with friends or like many hockey players, will be out golfing as much as he can.
He says he’s been golfing a long time and has gotten good at the sport. After the season the Tigers had, Basha said his mental game on the course may be better than before.
“After the year we had, that was pretty mental. So a little more composure, don’t let it get to your head too much and just swing away.”
