By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 13, 2024.
sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews The Western Hockey League had 60 players listed by NHL Central Scouting in its Midterm Rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft, four of them in Medicine Hat. The Tigers were represented four times on the midterm rankings released Friday morning, including two players named in the top 32. Centre Cayden Lindstrom came in as the third ranked skater in North America. The Chetwynd, B.C. product has 27 goals and 46 points in 32 games this season, leading the team in goals and power play goals. Lindstrom’s ranking, while only the midterm grading, is the highest place a Tiger has been ranked since Cole Sillinger came in at No. 10 in the final rankings of 2021. Andrew Basha (Calgary) was ranked No. 18, as the 18-year-old leads the Tigers in points with 55 and has 18 goals on the year. At No. 90 is forward Tomas Mrsic. The sophomore Tiger from Surrey has passed his career highs in goals and assists with 10 goals and 32 points in 35 games. Coming in ranked at 188th, centre Shane Smith is in his second year of draft eligibility, like Basha. The Cessford product has 18 goals and 34 points in 39 games. The Central Scouting will release a final ranking in April ahead of the 2024 NHL draft to be held June 28-29 in Las Vegas. 10