'Vital Part Of My Childhood'

For Andrew Basha, stepping onto the ice at the Scotiabank Saddledome has always carried a little extra meaning.

Long before he was skating on the same surface as a professional, Basha was a kid in the stands, watching hockey alongside his dad and building memories inside the iconic arena.

Now, with the new season marking the final chapter of the ‘Dome, Basha will have the chance to experience the building from a different perspective.

As a Calgary product, the moment won't be lost on him.

“Yeah, it's crazy. It’s a vital part of my childhood, you know, and I love the game,” Basha smiled Saturday after the opening ice session of Flames Prospects Training Camp. “It's cool to be able to play here for the last season. It’ll be crazy to see it go, so many good memories in there.”

And one memory in particular stands out.

“I think the coolest one was like the playoff run in 2022,” Basha said. “I was 16 and had just gotten back from my first year in junior and this city was buzzing, it was really cool.”

Now, he'll get to make his own memories inside the building during its final season. But before looking ahead to the farewell, Basha is focused on what comes next in his development.

Last season was an important one for him.

Basha made his professional debut with the Wranglers, recording five points in 27 games before returning to the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers.

With the Tigers, Basha found his offensive stride, closing out the season with 50 points in 32 games.

That experience, moving between the professional and junior levels, has given Basha another offseason to evaluate his game and prepare for his next opportunity.

For him, the approach remains simple.

“I’m doing everything I can to just keep getting better,” he said. “You know, you have your goals but I think  just trying to stick to the process and doing what I think works … and also just having fun with it.”