Andrew Basha fitting in nicely as Wranglers get ready for home opener

Andrew Basha of the Calgary Wranglers is riding a personal high as he heads into the team’s home opener on Friday night at the Saddledome.

Calgary Wranglers forward Andrew Basha scored his first goal in the American Hockey League on Sunday against the Tucson Roadrunners.

It was a goal any kid would dream about.

“It was definitely a great start,” Basha said. “First pro goal, and I just kind of saw a lane and let my skill take over. I think maybe being naïve, you think you’re going to do something like that.

“I don’t know if it’s luck or not, but it was great to get the first one.”

High-skill forward

Basha was selected by the Flames in the second round, 41st overall, in the 2024 NHL draft.

Wranglers captain Clark Bishop is playing on a line with Basha, and he says the 19-year-old definitely has a very high skill level.

“It’s a great one; it’s a highlight reel for sure,” he said. “I was on the ice with him, and I saw him get the puck, and I just kind of stood behind him and watched it, so I had a good view of it.”

Good listener

Head coach Brett Sutter says Basha has a great attitude, and his transition from junior to pro hockey has been good so far.

“I think he’s getting better every day, which is an important thing,” Sutter said. “Maybe some early growing pains, but I think he’s made a point of learning and being a student every day.

“He’s been really good for us, so just look to keep taking another step.”

Injuries behind him

It was a tough finish to Basha’s junior career with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

He basically missed a year and a half with an ankle injury.

This year, Basha is back to full health and says it feels great to put the injury behind him and concentrate on hockey.

“It was a grind,” he said. “It was a long year and a half with that (injury), and I’m just grateful that’s over with for now and feeling great.

“It’s great to have a clear mind and be able to go every day and focus on getting better.”

Basha and the Wranglers play their home opener on Friday night against the Coachella Valley Firebirds.